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To the east of Westmorland and on the opposite side of the Stainmore Forrest are the villages of Wolsingam, Lanchester, Brandon, Ferryhill, Merrington, Staindrop and Brancepeth, all in the county of Durham. Families were established there which, with only a few exceptions used spelling Farrow or Farrowed. In his book The Origin of English Surnames P. H. Reavney linked Farrow and Farrer when describing instances of the uses of the name in Rothwell, and provided another example of how it was derived from iron workers: The surname is even more common than would appear for it survives also in the Lat. 'Faber' and the French 'Feaver' (Old French 'fevere') and 'Ferrar' and 'Farrer' (Old French. 'Ferreor', 'worker in iron') which has also become 'Farrow'. One of the first examples of the use of this spelling is provided in Farrer Wills when William Farrowed, a yeoman of Littlewhite, Brancepeth, made his will in 1577. He wished to be buried by his father in Brancepeth church and bequeathed property in Durham, Brandon and Brancepeth to various members of his family. Brancepeth church is very ancient having an Early English tower. The village stands on the River Wear and its castle was erected in the reign of King Stephen. Rebuilding took place in 1821, but the castle retains much of its former appearance. Another branch using the Farrow spelling were living further east at Fishburne. But one of the earliest wills for Durham is that of Thomas Farrye who died in 1562, and this will reminds us for the trade which has been practised in the area for many centuries: Thomas Farrye of the ferrie of the hill [Ferryhill near Kirk Merrington] maketh this Will as followithe. My bodye to be buried within the churchyard of Merringtone. I will my wffe and my eldest sonne shall have the colle pittes together and of them to bringe up my chlder and all such debts as I am owing of and for them and for the lease of the pitts pay all thatt. And if my wffe shall marye then I will my two eldest sonns shall enjoy the pitts and have my lease together and bring up my children therewith. The rest of my goods I gyve to Christobell Ferrye my wife .... Reference: |
