Farnham is an English surname of locational origin, derived from any of several towns named Farnham in England, most notably the historic market town in Surrey. The name traces its roots to Old English, composed of the elements fearn ("fern") and ham (meaning either "home, settlement" or "water meadow, enclosure"). Thus, Farnham originally referred to a "fern-covered homestead" or a "fern meadow." The town of Farnham in Surrey, mentioned in the Domesday Book, has a documented history dating back to the Saxon era. The name appears in early records as Fernham or Farnham, and by at least 803 AD, the settlement was under the control of the Bishops of Winchester. The town's location on the River Wey and near the North Downs contributed to its agricultural and commercial importance over the centuries. As a surname, Farnham is typical of many English locational names that identified individuals by their place of origin. Genetic studies suggest that the surname is most frequent in southern England, particularly in Surrey and neighboring counties. A variant of the name is Varnham, which arose through dialectal pronunciation changes. Notable bearers of the surname include various British gentry and professionals, such as Sir Edward Farnham (16th-century MP) and others whose influence was primarily local rather than national. Unlike some famous locational surnames, Farnham did not gain widespread adoption among global English-speaking populations in North America or Australia, remaining relatively concentrated in the United Kingdom. Meaning: Fern homestead or fern meadow Origin: English (locational) Usage regions: England (especially Surrey) Variant: Varnham