Contents [hide]

Farrow History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Farrow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The saga of the name Farrow follows a line reaching back through history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for someone who worked as a shoer of horses, or a farrier. 1 2

In the Middle Ages, horses were the only alternative to walking as a means of transportation. This made the farrier a very important person; not only did they replace horseshoes, but they also diagnosed any number of ailments of the animals. In short, their job was to keep the horse on the road and in good health. This importance was reflected in the fact that they were often free, instead of being bonded to the land in the way that serfs and peasants were.

While this is the generally accepted etymology of the name, one noted source claims the name to be a "corruption of Fair-hair, answering to Le Blond, Harfager, &c. In the Hundredorum Rolls, we have Fayrher. In a document of the year 1555, a Norfolk incumbent is called John Fayrhawr, alias Farrar. " 3

"All these names are variations of Ferrer. The unstressed -er was slurred in pronunciation and variously spelled -ey, -ah, -a, giving Farrey, Farrah and Farra. This was regarded as an incorrect dialectal pronunciation and the name was re-spelled Farrow, on the analogy of barrow. At Hoxne (Suffolk) in 1835, Dinah Farrer signed the marriage register Farrow. Initial Ph- for F- is common and Pharrow, Pharoe were associated with the biblical Pharaoh, which, however, may occasionally be a pageant name or a nickname." 4

Early Origins of the Farrow family

The surname Farrow was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Wortley, a chapelry, in the parish of St. Peter, liberty of the borough of Leeds. "This place, in the Domesday Survey styled Wyrteley, formerly belonged to the Farrars, of Halifax, from whom the manor was purchased in 1766 by the family of the present owner." 5 "Once a great Yorkshire trade-name, now a great Yorkshire surname." 1

"The West Riding of Yorkshire would seem to be the principal home of the Farrars or Farrers, though the name has long been known in this county. There was a gentle family of Farrar at Harrold in the 17th century. The Farrers of Halifax were an ancient gentle family, possessing the Eawood estate in that parish in the 16th century (W.); and William Farrer was a Halifax gentleman in the reign of Charles II. (D.). The Farrers of Leeds were an old family of Wortley in that parish, and were lords of the manor at the beginning of last century: in 1694, Miles Farrer was master of the Free School, Leeds; one branch of this family trace their pedigree to the time of Elizabeth." 6

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included the following entries: Willelmus Ferour, ferour; Johannes Crayk, ferour; Hugo Farrour; and Thomas Farrour. 1

As one would expect with Yorkshire's proximity to Scotland, some of the first records in Scotland were "William Farar, chaplain and charter witness, 1491. Walter Fayrhare was a forestalls in Aberdeen, 1402. In 1559 John Farar in Inverness 'is contentit and he be fundyn slaing salmon on the Vater of Nes to be hangit'" 7 In some cases the name could have been a variant of Farquhar.

Early History of the Farrow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Farrow research. Another 294 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1402, 1525, 1562, 1585, 1613, 1632, 1641, 1642, 1652, 1675, 1679, 1689, 1691, 1692, 1754, 1796, 1802, 1837, 1879 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Farrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farrow Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Farrow were recorded, including Farrar, Farrer, Farror, Farrough, Farrow, Farrowe, Varrow, Varrowe, Varow, Vairow, Varer and many more.

Early Notables of the Farrow family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Edward Farrer (died 1691), an Oxford academic and administrator, Master of University College, Oxford (1689-1691); and Joseph Farrow (1652?-1692), and English nonconformist clergyman from Boston, Linc...

Farrow Ranking

In the United States, the name Farrow is the 2,830^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 8 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Farrow is ranked the 915^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,534 people with that name. 9

Migration of the Farrow family to Ireland

Some of the Farrow family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Farrow migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Farrow family emigrate to North America:

Farrow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Frances Farrow, who settled in Massachusetts in 1635
John Farrow, who arrived in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1635 10
Jon Farrow, who landed in Virginia in 1635 10
John Farrow, who settled in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1640
Francis Farrow, aged 16, who landed in Maryland in 1683 10

Farrow Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Elizabeth Farrow, who settled in Maryland in 1742
Elizabeth Farrow, who arrived in Virginia in 1783 10

Farrow Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Samuel Farrow, who landed in America in 1804 10
Thomas Farrow, aged 48, who arrived in Maine in 1812 10
Mr. Farrow, who arrived in America in 1813 10
Joseph Farrow, who arrived in America in 1819 10
Mary Farrow, aged 20, who arrived in America in 1822 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Farrow Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Margaret Ann Farrow, aged 23, who arrived in America from Manchester, England, in 1907
Grace Farrow, aged 21, who arrived in America from Caterham, England, in 1907
Harold Barton Farrow, aged 23, who arrived in America from Manchester, England, in 1907
John Cumnings Farrow, aged 25, who arrived in America from Hetton le Hole, Durham, England, in 1907
Alice Farrow, aged 31, who arrived in America from Andover, England, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Farrow migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Farrow Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. John Farrow, aged 22 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Gilmour" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 11

Farrow Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Douglas H Farrow, aged 55, who arrived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1914

Farrow migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Farrow Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Farrow, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Katherine Stewart Forbes" in 1837 12
Edward Farrow, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 13
Luke Farrow, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 13
Lydia Farrow, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 13
Amy Farrow, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Farrow migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Farrow Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Farrow, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. Samuel Farrow, (b. 1814), aged 27, British agricultural labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 14
Mrs. Harriet Farrow, (b. 1813), aged 28, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 14
Mr. George Farrow, (b. 1840), aged 5 months, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 14
Mr. David Farrow, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Solent" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 30th July 1857 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Farrow (post 1700) +

Margaret A. Farrow (1934-2022), American Republican politician, 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (the first woman to hold the office) (2001-2003)
Ronan Farrow (b. 1987), American human rights activist, son of Woody Allen and actress Mia Farrow
John "Jack" Farrow (1853-1914), American Major League Baseball player
Ernie Farrow (1928-1969), American jazz multi-instrumentalist
Amariah Farrow (b. 1980), American offensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Stephanie Margarita Farrow (b. 1949), American actress
Samuel Farrow (1775-1824), American politician, U.S. Representative from South Carolina
Jacob "Jake" Farrow (b. 1978), American television writer and actor
John Villiers Farrow CBE KGCHS (1904-1963), Australian-born, American Academy Award winning film director, producer and screenwriter
Mia Farrow (b. 1945), American actress, winner of numerous awards, including a Golden Globe award and three BAFTA Film Award nominations
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Farrow family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Frederick Farrow, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 16

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Robert Farrow, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 17

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Baring-Gould S., Family Names and their Story. London: Seeley, Service & Co. Limited, 1913. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 27)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) KATHERINE STEWART FORBES 1837 arrived Holdfast Bay, near Adelaide, on October 17, 1837. . Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837KatherineStewartForbes.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN from London 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840John.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/