Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Farthing

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Fourth or Worth a Farthing

      Variations

      Fathiyya, Martinez, Darling
      The name Farthing has its origins in England and dates back several centuries. It derives from the Middle English word ferthing, which means a fourth, or more specifically, a fourth part of a penny. It was a denomination of currency in medieval England and was the smallest unit of value, equivalent to one-quarter of a penny. The name Farthing was thus likely given to individuals who either worked with or were associated with this form of currency.

      In historical records, the name Farthing can be traced back to the 13th century, with early instances found in various regions of England. Over time, the name has seen some variations in spelling, such as Farding, Farthyng, and Farthinge. It was also occasionally used as a given name.

      In modern-day usage, the name Farthing is relatively uncommon, but it still exists as a name and occasionally as a given name. As is the case with many names of English origin, Farthing can also be found in other parts of the English-speaking world, including Australia, Canada, and the United States. Some individuals with the name Farthing have gained prominence in various fields, such as academia, sports, and the arts. However, due to its obscurity, the name Farthing remains relatively rare, but nevertheless, it has a historical legacy that offers insight into the English language and currency.

      Based on our records...

      Hix

      Hix

      This is the most common surname associated with Farthing.
      Rhoda

      Rhoda

      This is the most common name of those married to a Farthing.
      Leenie

      Leenie

      This is the most common name for a child of a Farthing.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1774 is when there were the most people born with the first name Farthing.

      Explore the origins of another name.