Surname Phaires - Meaning and Origin

Phaires: What does the surname Phaires mean?

The last name Phaires has Germanic roots and is derived from the Old High German word “faro” which means “peasant, freeman”. It has become particularly popular as a surname, and is sometimes spelled Pfeiffer, Peiffer, Pfever, Ooiefer, or Feyerfeil.

In addition to being derived from the Old High German word meaning “peasant, freeman,” the last name Phaires also has connections to the language of Latin. Specifically, it is derived from the word ferrum, which means “iron” in Latin. This connection likely comes from the fact that ferrum was associated with hard work as much of early industry relied on the use of iron and metalworking. Therefore, the last name Phaires likely reflects an individual or family that may have been involved in the industrial sector centuries ago.

The surname Phaires is also found in various forms throughout Europe, with notable occurrences in Germany, the Netherlands, and England. The spelling of the surname has also shifted over the years, leading to variants such as Pfiefer and Pfever, to name a few. In a few cases, the name may even have been altered due to the person’s occupation, such as Phaire smith.

Overall, the last name Phaires is associated with hard work and is derived from the Old High German word for peasant, as well as the Latin word ferrum. It is also found in various languages throughout Europe, and its spelling has evolved over time.

Phaires: Where does the name Phaires come from?

The surname Phaires is primarily found in the United States. It can be found in major metropolitan areas such as the states of California, New York, Massachusetts, and Texas.

In the United States, the Phaires surname is most common in California. In California, the Phaires surname is most frequently found in Los Angeles County, according to the US Census. It is also relatively common in Orange County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, and San Diego County (in descending order of prevalence).

Outside of the USA, the surname is prevalent in England. Specifically, the surname is most common in Manchester, Liverpool, and Scotland counties.

The Phaires surname is likely derived from the Old French word “Viare,” meaning road or path. There are several variants of the name found throughout Europe, such as “Phare” and “Fair.”

Though Phaires has spread around the world, its origin is clearly rooted in Europe. Its presence in major metropolitan areas suggests that the surname may have spread due to increased mobility and population growth among citizens in the 18th and 19th century.

Today, the Phaires family legacy continues. As the surname is still very much alive in both the US and UK, it is likely that its presence will continue to be realized in many places this century as well.

Variations of the surname Phaires

The surname Phaires is an anglized version of an Irish surname with many variant spellings. These variants include Phairs, Phayres, Phayers, Pairs, Pearse, Paris, Pars, Pears, Peairs, Peeres, Peers, Pierse and Piers.

Early Irish records and documents have recorded the surname in several different forms, and all forms of the name come from the same Gaelic root, Ó Pairceir or Ó Pearseir.

The surname derived from the first name Pádraig which is made up of the elements pá (“ruffled”) and draig (“king” or “man”). Thus, descendants of Padraig often bore the nicknames Pearse, Peairs, and Piers, as many Irish surnames often come from nicknames.

Over time, families bearing the nicknames began to adopt them as surnames, and this was reflected in a number of variant spellings.

The spelling of the name changed over time, especially when crossing the Atlantic due to immigration and differences in language and accent. Thus, the spelling Phaires is relatively new, emerging as part of the Anglicization process.

Though the variations can be confusing, they all originate from the same Gaelic roots and are pass-down surnames that are ultimately derived from the first name Pádraig.

Famous people with the name Phaires

• Liz Phair: singer, songwriter, and musician best known for her 1993 album Exile in Guyville.
• Annette Phaire: American theater actress from Alabama.
• Mohammed Al-Phaires: Bahraini footballer who represented Busaiteen SC in the Bahraini Premier League.
• Bob Phaires: American theologian and church leader who served as the senior pastor of First Assembly of God in San Antonio, Texas.
• Gary Phaires: former American football player who played in the Arena Football League for multiple teams.
• Sonny Phair: professional Canadian football player who was selected in the first round of the 1983 CFL Draft.
• Troutman E. Phaire: American soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II.
• James P. Phaires: American artist who is most well-known for his large-scale public art projects and sculptures.
• Chris Phaires: 1958 LeMans race winner and original owner of the Plymouth XNR-1 Coupe.
• Richard Phaires: former member of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) and humanitarian consultant.

Other surnames

Phair