The gyroscopic g' factor, g', of FeCo nanogranules embedded in a matrix of MgF2 (FeCo-MgF2) was determined by measuring the magnetic-field generation from a rotating sample due to the Barnett effect. The g' value of the FeCo-MgF2 is estimated to be 1.76 +/- 0.11. The orbital contribution to the magnetic moment in the FeCo nanogranules was found to be quite large compared with that in bulk FeCo, being consistent with a density-functional-theory calculation that shows that the orbital magnetic moment may increase at the FeCo/MgF2 interfaces. The result suggests that the orbital magnetic moment is enhanced by symmetry breaking at the surface of the FeCo nanogranules. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.