Show ContentsFayrecluff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fayrecluff family

The surname Fayrecluff was first found in Lancashire, where Simon de ffairclogh (note the double "f" and the lower case last name) was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332. The name literally means 'dweller in the fair hollow' from the Middle English (clo(u)gh). 1

Unfortunately, from this early reference, we must move the 16th century to find the next. "Fairclough has long been, and is still a Liverpool name. Thomas Fayerclough was mayor of Liverpool in 1544. There was a gentle family of Fairclough of Fairclough Hall, Herts, in the 17th century." 2 William Fayercliffe and Robert Fayredought were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1568. Later, John Fayercloth was also listed in Suffolk in 1629. 1

The Wills at Chester listed John Fairelough of Upholland in 1583. 3

Interestingly, the Featley variant arose from Daniel Fairclough (1582-1645) who changed his name for unknown reasons and was the progenitor of that branch of the family. 4

Early History of the Fayrecluff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fayrecluff research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1582, 1594, 1605, 1621, 1625, 1645, 1662, 1666, 1677, 1682, 1691 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Fayrecluff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fayrecluff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fairclough, Faircloth, Faircliff, Faircluff and many more.

Early Notables of the Fayrecluff family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Samuel Fairclough (1594-1677), an English nonconformist divine from Haverhill, Suffolk. He was the youngest of the four sons of Lawrence Fairclough, vicar of Haverhill, by his wife Mary, daughter of John Cole of that town. His second son, Samuel Fairclough...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fayrecluff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fayrecluff family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Sarah Faircloth settled in Barbados in 1717; Michael Faircloth settled in Pennsylvania in 1868; Margery and Margret Fairclough settled in Virginia in 1699..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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