This surname is derived from a nickname. 'with the fair fax,' i.e. the fair hair; compare Fairhair. 'A syde head and a fare fax.': Towneley Mysteries.

Thomas Fayrfax, c. 1300. Writs of Parliament.

Ricardus Farefax, 1379: Poll Tax of Howdenshire.

Willelmus Fayrfax, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1587. Thomas Barbor and Johanna Fayerfaxe: Marriage Lic. (London).

1642. Married — Thomas Price and Katherine Fearfax: St. Peter, Cornhill.

1781. Married — John Fairfax and Phoebe Elborn: St. George, Hanover Square.

This surname is derived from a nickname. 'with the fair hair'; compare Fairfax.

Richard Bryan, dicti ffairher, Close Rolls, 11 Edward III.

Peter Fairher, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

John Fairhere, Close Rolls, 30 Edward III.

Anota Fairehare, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

'1522. To Mr. William Farehaire, Doctor of Laws': Letters of Fraternity, Durham Priory, Surtees Soc.

Edward Fayrencire, circa 1560. Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I.

This surname has probably been absorbed by Farrar.

Probably descriptive, 'with fair hair,' or perhaps more probably a form of Farquhah, which see. Patricius Fayrhar, burgess of Perth, 1345 (Scon, p. 127). William Fayihar, precentor of Ross, 1407 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 625), and William Farar, capellanus, was charter witness, 1491 (Scon, p. 199). Andrew Fairer to stand in sackcloth for quarrelling in time of divine service, 1661 (Rec. Elgin, II, p. 293).

Anglo-Saxon fcegr and feax, fair-haired. The same as the Latin Flavus, the French Blond, &c. "Fax and rex are the same, signifying hair. Hence Matthew of Westminster calleth a comet, which is Stella crinita, a vexed star [A-Sax. feaxed steorra;] and this family had their name from beautiful bushy hair. I confess I find in Florilegus, writing of the Holy War, "Primum bellum Christianorum fuit apud pontem Pharfax fluminis; but cannot concur with them who hence derive the name of this family." Fuller, (Worthies of England, iii, 414,) who adds, that in his time (two hundred years ago) twenty generations of Fairfaxes had resided on one spot, at Walton, co. York-a rare instance of long territorial possession by one name and family. The existing representative of this ancient race is Lord Fairfax, an American by birth and parentage, who, with the same republican principles which actuated his great ancestor, prefers a quiet life at Woodburne in Maryland, to a seat in the House of Peers.

Fair hair-from faex, hair. The family were seated at Torcester in Northumberland, before the Conquest, but afterwards moved to Yorkshire; and from thence some branches settled in Scotland-Richard Fairfax was living at Askam in Yorkshire in 1205. Motto: "Fare Fac."

(Saxon.) Fair—hair; Faex, hair.