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The Fairs surname is derived from the Middle English word "fair," or "fayr," from the Old English "fæger;" meaning "handsome," "beautiful," or "fair." As such, the name is generally considered to have originally been a nickname, although it was in occasional use as a personal name for both men and women.
The surname Fairs was first found in Cumberland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fairs research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1234, 1333, 1446, 1612, 1619, 1648 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Fairs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Fair, Faire, Faires, Fayer, Fayers, Fairs, Fare, Phair, Phaire, Phayre, Phares and many more.
Notable amongst the family at this time was Robert Phayre or Phaire (1619-1682), regicide, possibly a son of Emmanuel Phaire, who in 1612 became rector of Kilshannig, co. Cork. In February...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fairs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Joseph Fair who landed in Pennsylvania in 1772. William Fair joined him two years later. Other members of the Fair family made their homes in New York in the mid-1800's..