Phair History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Ireland

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

(224)

The Phair surname in Ireland is generally thought to have come from a translation of the Gaelic "fionn," meaning "fair." More often than not, the spelling in use in Ireland is with the "ph" as in Phair or Phayr. 1 Thus the name was originally given to one with fair hair or of a fair disposition and means "son of the fair one"

Early Origins of the Phair family

The surname Phair was first found in Ireland where according to O'Hart, the "family name came into Ireland with the Cromwellian Settlement, or with the Revolution." 2 This name is scattered throughout Ireland and instances of it nowadays are rare. However in its original form, Fionn, it holds an important part in Irish mythology, being the first name of the legendary hero, Fionn MacCumhaill, leader of the mighty warriors the Fianna.

It is generally thought that this Irish family was a branch from the family residing in Devon, England.

Early History of the Phair family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phair research. Another 22 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1612, 1619, 1648, 1649, 1650, 1651, 1654, 1662 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Phair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Phair Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fair, Faire, Faires, Fayer, Fayers, Fairs, Fare, Phair, Phaire, Phayre, Phares and many more.

Early Notables of the Phair family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Robert Phayre (c.1619-1682) Governor of Cork, and soldier, one of the Regicides of King Charles I of England. He was held at the Tower of London, but after paying a substantial ransom and marrying the...

Phair Ranking

In the United States, the name Phair is the 12,752^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Phair migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Phair Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Phair, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1812 4
H. Phair, who arrived in San Francisco in 1852
James Phair, who settled in America in 1852

Phair migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Phair Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Andrew Phair U.E. (b. 1757) who settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick c. 1784 he enlisted in 1781 serving in the American Legion, married to Margaret Barry having 3 children, he died in 1824 5
Adjutant. Andrew Phair U.E. who settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick c. 1784 he served in Arnold's American Legion, became a Postmaster at Fredericton 5

Phair Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Bridget Phair, who settled in Ontario in 1871
Jason Phair, who arrived in Ontario in 1871

Phair migration to Australia +

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

Phair Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mary A. Phair, aged 22, a house maid, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Adelaide" 6
Edward Phair, aged 18, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" 7
Janet Phair, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" 7

Phair 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:

Phair Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Phair, (b. 1843), aged 21, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Glenmark" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1865 8
J. C. Phair, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1878
Eliza Phair, aged 24, a servant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880

Contemporary Notables of the name Phair (post 1700) +

Elizabeth Clark "Liz" Phair (b. 1967), American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Ron Phair, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oregon, 1960; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Oregon 2nd District, 1960 9
Maggie Phair, American politician, Representative from California 24th District, 1990 9
James S. Phair, American politician, Candidate for Justice of New York Supreme Court 1st District, 1964 9
James H. Phair, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Presque Isle, Maine, 1897-1914 9
Caspar Phair (d. 1933), Canadian pioneer, one of Lillooet, British Columbia's first settlers
Lyle Phair (b. 1961), Canadian professional hockey player
Michael Phair (b. 1950), Canadian politician
Venetia Katharine Douglas Phair (1918-2009), the first person to suggest the name Pluto for the celestial body

Historic Events for the Phair family +

The Phair Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtute tutus
Motto Translation: By Virtue Safe