Surname Fairiss - Meaning and Origin

Fairiss: What does the surname Fairiss mean?

The surname Fairiss is an English origin name derived from the Old French ‘feirisse’ which means an appreciative or loyal follower. It is typically found in southern areas of England.

Fairiss is associated with loyalty to one’s master and is thought to be related to the Norman knight Aldwin de Fieris, who was a follower of William the Conqueror in 1066. The surname is a fairly common one in Essex, Derbyshire, and Norfolk.

It is now mostly found in the form of Fairis, Faires, Farias, and Faires, and occasionally Fairys. Some family trees show that descendants of the name had several branches in England in the 19th century.

The name symbolizes a strong sense of loyalty and faithfulness and is sometimes seen as a good luck charm. Fairiss families embraced a wide variety of religions and political beliefs, but tended to be steadfast in their loyalty and commitment to their families and beliefs.

The name may bring a sense of identity and belonging to those with it, as the reputation of a Fairiss was someone who valued loyalty and constantly raised the bar for others.

Fairiss: Where does the name Fairiss come from?

The surname Fairiss is still common across much of the United States today. The most recent census data identified it as being relatively widespread, with the highest concentration being in Texas, where around one quarter of all people with the Fairiss surname live. It is also quite common in Michigan, New York, and Illinois, with a very minor presence in California, Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, and Washington.

The surname is likely of British origin, with several variant spellings, such as Ferris, Farris, and Faries, being recorded over the centuries. For many years after the 1600s, immigrants settled in New England states, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, before gradually spreading south and west.

While the exact origin of the name is unknown, many families with the Fairiss surname claim to be descended from a Scottish family known as Farris or MacFirbis. The surname originated in Scotland or northern Ireland, but its meaning is not clear, though some sources suggest it may mean “son of Barry”, a common Welsh name.

Some namesakes have developed notable reputations in their area, such as former Texas Secretary of State Jesse F. Fairiss, pastor and evangelist Henry Fairiss, and professional hockey player Joe Fairiss. Others have served their country in the armed forces, including PFC Howard Fairiss and Corporal C.O. Fairiss, both of whom fought in World War II.

Variations of the surname Fairiss

Fairiss is a fairly uncommon surname of English origin, and may have been derived from the last name Fayres. The most common spelling is Fairiss, but it has a number of other variants and spellings, including Fairis, Fareis, Faeris, Fairris, Fareris, Fares, Fayers, Faireas, Fariss, Faress, Farys, Farey, Faerys, Faeries, Faris, Faarys, Faerrey, and Faerey.

The surname is primarily found in England, but is also found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It is not a terribly common name, but there are people with the surname scattered all around the world.

Fairris is possibly a variant of Faireis, an ancient French surname derived from the Old French phrase “faire is,” meaning “beautiful thing.” Faireas is another variant, derived from the Old French phrase “faire as,” meaning “to make beautiful.”

The surname Farey could have evolved from either of the two Old English words “ferh” or “feorm,” both of which mean “land.” The Farys variant may have evolved from the Old French word “farrur,” which means “swift” or “quick.”

The Faerrey variant may have come from the Old French phrase “faire rires,” which means “to be funny.” Finally, Faerey could have evolved from the Middle English phrase “faire ey,” which roughly translates to “pleasant view.”

Famous people with the name Fairiss

• Jodie Faiss:An American actress best known for portraying Lila Bowden in Disney Channel's Andi Mack and Zoey in Nickelodeon's Zoey 101.
• Addison Faiss: An American Actor best known for his roles in the made-for-TV movies “The Secret Path”, “A Horse for Christmas”, and “The Good Witch’s Wonder”.
• Mia Faiss: A professional dancer, specializing in styles like jazz, contemporary, and hip hop.
• Caleb Faiss: An online entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and social media influencer.
• Jacqueline Faiss: A Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist who has worked with celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Mandy Moore, and Lady Gaga.
• Jacob Faiss: A professional skateboarder from California who has been featured in several national and international skateboarding and snowboarding competitions.
• Grant Faiss: A professional poker player from Las Vegas, Nevada. He has made several final tables in World Series of Poker events.
• Charlee Faiss: An independent pop singer/songwriter from Texas who released her debut album “Dancing in the Dark” in 2019.
• Braden Faiss: An internet celebrity and YouTuber from California who runs a popular vlogging channel where he posts daily commentaries and updates about his life.
• Austin Faiss: A New York-based fashion designer and entrepreneur who is the founder and Creative Director of his own clothing label.

Other surnames

FairieFairiesFairis