Show ContentsFairwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Fairwel belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived near a pleasant spring or stream. The name Fairwel is derived from two Old English elements: fæger, which means fair or beautiful; and well, which was the name for a spring. There is a parish Farewell in Staffordshire, two miles from Lichfield.

Early Origins of the Fairwel family

The surname Fairwel was first found in Staffordshire at Farewell, a parish, in the union of Lichfield, S. division of the hundred of Offlow. The earliest record of the place was in 1200 when it was listed as Fagerwell. 1

Early History of the Fairwel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fairwel research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fairwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fairwel Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Fairwel include Farewell, Farwell, Fairwell and others.

Early Notables of the Fairwel family

More information is included under the topic Early Fairwel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fairwel family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Fairwel were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: James Farewell settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife and servants.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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