Revision History

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12/1/2024, 10:33 PM Mike C update #117
12/7/2022, 9:35 PM Mike C update #113
11/16/2019, 11:04 AM Mike C update #105
12/8/2017, 12:41 PM Mike C update #97
3/14/2016, 9:26 PM Mike C added

Type Surname (from occupation)
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. /ˈfɑɹ.məɹ/(American English) /ˈfɑː.mə/(British English)

Meaning & History

Occupational name for a tax collector, from Middle English ferme "rent, revenue, provision", from medieval Latin firma, ultimately from Old English feorm. This word did not acquire its modern meaning until the 17th century.