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Source: http://farrellclanireland.com/#/history
The O'Fearghails were one of the four chief clans of the Conmacne {race of Conmac (son of legendary Fergus MacRoigh and Queen Maedhbh (Maeve)}. They were the princes of Annaly (roughly the Irish midlands); their chief seat of power was Longphort Ui' Fearghail (O'Farrell's fortress) (present-day Longford town). (source: "Farrell Clan - a brief history" by Hugh Farrell). . The descendants of Fearghal, who fought alongside Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf, took the surname of Uí Fhearghail (descendants of Fearghal).
After Clontarf the Uí Fhearghail went on to become Princes of the territory of Anghaile (Annaly), roughly corresponding to present day County Longford, their chieftain sitting at Longphort Uí Fhearghail (O'Farrell's stronghold), present day Longford town. Other sites associated with the clan are Moatfarrell (Móta Uí Fhearghail), in the east of Annaly between the present day towns of Ballinalee and Edgeworthstown, and Mornine Castle close to Moydow.
The clan's control of Annaly was disrupted by the English invasions of the 12th and 13th centuries, but by the 15th century, the clan had reasserted control over the territory. They had divided into two family subgroups, Uí Fhearghail Bán (White O'Farrell) and Uí Fhearghail Buí (Yellow O'Farrell), controlling the north and south of Annaly respectively.
The clan lost most of their lands during the colonial confiscations of James I in the early 17th century, with many of the clan members becoming tenants of the new English and Scottish landlords in what was now County Longford.
The Farrells have been associated with this midland region for more than 1,000 years. The Farrell Clan lost its control of the area just over 300 years ago when leading military members were forced to take flight and joined the armies of France and Spain. The majority remained settled in County Longford and the surrounding counties of Roscommon and Westmeath. Others moved to the cities in search of a livelihood with Dublin being the most popular destination.. Farrells are presently very plentiful in the county, but the big numbers live elsewhere mostly in Dublin.
Internationally most people with Farrell origins are in the UK (England, Scotland and Wales), USA, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. We have members from all these countries as well as from South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Germany, Spain and Belgium.