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The surname Fayrewether was first found in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: John Fayrweder in Cambridgeshire; and Hugh Fairweder in Lincolnshire. 1
There are various thoughts as to the origin of the name. They include: "a nickname for one of a jovial or sunny disposition," 2; and "one who worked only in good weather; one with a happy disposition," 1 3
By the 16th century, "Thomas Fairweather is recorded in Dundee in 1583, and eighteen more of the name appear in the Commissariot Record of Brechin between 1576 and 1800. Thomas Fairwoder was burgess of Dundee in 1634, and the Devil rebaptized the witch Catherine Skair in Brechin by the name of Isoble Farewedder. Janet Fairweather is recorded in the parish of Olrik in 1664 (Caithness), and John Fairweather of Turriff was killed in the first Great War."
"A fanciful story is told of the origin of the name of the Fairweathers of Angus. This sept, it is said, was a branch of the old tribe of Morrey. The name is said, according to private family tradition, to be derived from three brothers' of the ancient Murrevians, who being forced to leave the north, assumed the name, in order to perpetuate the remembrance of their northern descent." 4
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fayrewether research. Another 283 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1274, 1350, 1477, 1547, 1583, 1600, 1609 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Fayrewether History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The name Fayrewether, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Fairweather, Fareweather and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Fayrewether Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Fayrewether family, or who bore a variation of the surname Fayrewether were the group of immigrants that purchased land in Massachusetts in the mid 1600's and started a new life. Other members of the Fairweather name moved further south to Virginia and a large number landed in Pennsylvania in the late 1800's. In addition the Fairweathers were part of the large contingent of Scottish families that made their home in Canada..