Farmer Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Farmer Name Meaning: From Middle English & Old French 'ferm(i)er', one who collected taxes, revenues & imposts.

These first 'farmers' acted as brokers for major landowners or the crown & selected applicants to work the tenanted lands. Not applied to an owner of cultivated land until the 17th century.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Farmer Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Farmer family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 315
Female Servant 211
Independent 128
Male Servant 122
Farmer 99
Labourer 90
Shoe Maker 45
Carpenter 38
Butcher 26
Dress Maker 25
Laundress 23
Tailor 22
Stocking Maker 20
Mason 18
Clerk 17
Gardener 17
Blacksmith 17
Apprentice 15
Baker 14
Wheel Wright 14
Servant 14
Coal Miner 13
Weaver 13
Publican 12
Ag Labourer 12

Farmer Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Farmer 100% 64,933
2 Fermor 67% 1,973
3 Farmar 83% 649
4 Fermer 83% 439
5 Framer 67% 388
6 Former 83% 323

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The surname Farmer is the most popular version of all its varients

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