UK surname

Pharo

A Scottish surname derived from a Gaelic word meaning "wanderer" or "traveler".

In the 1881 census there were 159 people recorded with the Pharo surname, ranking it #14,935 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 200, ranked #19,591, down from #14,935 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wandsworth, London parishes and Chertsey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waverley, Bracknell Forest and Carlisle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pharo is 237 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.8%.

1881 census count

159

Ranked #14,935

Modern count

200

2016, ranked #19,591

Peak year

1997

237 bearers

Map years

1851 to 2016

Key insights

• Pharo had 159 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,935 surname in that year.
• The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016, ranked #19,591.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 208 in 1911.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Map

Pharo surname distribution map

The map shows where the Pharo surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Pharo surname density by area, 1881 census.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Pharo over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year	Period	Count	Rank
1851	historical	111	#16,006
1861	historical	121	#18,148
1881	historical	159	#14,935
1891	historical	170	#16,816
1901	historical	196	#15,329
1911	historical	208	#14,594
1997	modern	237	#15,809
1998	modern	236	#16,304
1999	modern	236	#16,404
2000	modern	227	#16,792
2001	modern	220	#16,914
2002	modern	231	#16,677
2003	modern	230	#16,549
2004	modern	213	#17,492
2005	modern	198	#18,279
2006	modern	190	#18,898
2007	modern	202	#18,359
2008	modern	196	#18,895
2009	modern	206	#18,657
2010	modern	213	#18,660
2011	modern	207	#18,841
2012	modern	199	#19,280
2013	modern	204	#19,276
2014	modern	204	#19,439
2015	modern	201	#19,494
2016	modern	200	#19,591

Geography

Where Pharos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wandsworth, London parishes, Chertsey, Beckenham and Farnham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waverley, Bracknell Forest, Carlisle and Arun. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank	Parish	Area
1	Wandsworth	London (South Districts)
2	London parishes	London 3
3	Chertsey	Surrey
4	Beckenham	Kent
5	Farnham	Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank	Area	District
1	Waverley 001	Waverley
2	Bracknell Forest 012	Bracknell Forest
3	Carlisle 005	Carlisle
4	Waverley 002	Waverley
5	Arun 003	Arun

Forenames

First names often paired with Pharo

These lists show first names that appear often with the Pharo surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

Mary Elizabeth Alice Ann Ellen Jane Eliza Sarah Emily Emma

Historical male names

William George Thomas John James Frank Samuel Richard Frederick Ernest

Recent female names

Jean Susan Angela Gillian Dorothy Karen Marion Mary Carol Claire

Recent male names

David Richard Paul Ian Stephen Mark Michael Edward Anthony Martin

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Pharo

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pharo, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Pharo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Pharo household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Pharo is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pharo is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pharo falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pharo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Pharo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Origin

Meaning and origin of Pharo

The surname PHARO is believed to have originated in Spain during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Spanish word "faro," which means "lighthouse" or "beacon." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a lighthouse or worked as a lighthouse keeper.

The earliest known references to the surname PHARO can be traced back to the 15th century in various Spanish records and documents. One notable example is Juan Pharo, a merchant from Seville who was mentioned in a trade agreement dated 1472. The name was also found in the archives of the city of Valencia, where a family named PHARO owned a small estate in the late 1400s.

As the PHARO name spread across Spain and its territories, it underwent several spelling variations, including Faro, Farro, and Pharao. These variations likely reflect regional differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions.

In the 16th century, the PHARO surname began to appear in records beyond Spain. One notable figure was Pedro Pharo, a Spanish explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to Mexico in 1519. Pedro Pharo later settled in Mexico and became a landowner in the region of Veracruz.

Another notable PHARO from this era was María Pharo, a Spanish noblewoman born in 1532. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support of the Catholic Church in her hometown of Granada.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the PHARO name continued to spread across Europe and the Americas. Notable individuals include:

1. Juan Pharo (1612-1678), a Spanish painter known for his religious works in churches throughout Andalusia.

2. Diego Pharo (1645-1712), a Spanish military officer who served in the War of the Spanish Succession.

3. Francisco Pharo (1721-1789), a Spanish architect who designed several notable buildings in Madrid and Seville.

4. María Pharo (1763-1834), a Spanish nun and educator who founded a school for girls in Barcelona.

5. Alejandro Pharo (1795-1871), a Mexican politician and landowner who served as governor of the state of Veracruz.

As the PHARO name spread and evolved over the centuries, it became associated with various professions, social classes, and geographic regions. While its origins can be traced back to Spain, the name has since taken on a diverse and rich history, reflecting the experiences and contributions of those who have carried it throughout the ages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Pharo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pharo surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 109 Pharos recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.42x.

County	Total	Frequency	Index
Surrey	109	0.01%	14.42x
Hampshire	14	0.00%	4.40x
Middlesex	14	0.00%	0.90x
Kent	13	0.00%	2.46x
Lancashire	6	0.00%	0.33x
Bedfordshire	1	0.00%	1.25x
Northumberland	1	0.00%	0.43x
Yorkshire	1	0.00%	0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Farnham in Surrey leads with 67 Pharos recorded in 1881 and an index of 1139.46x.

Place	Total	Frequency	Index
Farnham	67	0.61%	1139.46x
Wandsworth	16	0.06%	107.17x
Plumstead	13	0.04%	73.70x
Aldershot	7	0.03%	65.73x
Chertsey	6	0.07%	122.95x
Kingston On Thames	6	0.02%	33.06x
Bethnal Green London	5	0.00%	7.42x
Colne	5	0.05%	91.24x
Fareham	5	0.07%	130.89x
Ash Normandy	3	0.16%	291.26x
Southwark St George Martyr	3	0.01%	9.61x
St Pancras London	3	0.00%	2.40x
Camberwell	2	0.00%	2.02x
Egham	2	0.02%	43.10x
Shoreditch London	2	0.00%	2.97x
St George Hanover Square	2	0.00%	7.32x
Woking	2	0.02%	43.96x
Alton	1	0.02%	41.67x
Barnes	1	0.02%	31.25x
Barnoldswick	1	0.02%	46.51x
Bedford St Mary	1	0.03%	48.31x
Binsted	1	0.04%	82.64x
Hedley Woodside	1	0.22%	416.67x
Lambeth	1	0.00%	0.74x
Liverpool	1	0.00%	0.89x
St Marylebone London	1	0.00%	1.21x
Teddington London	1	0.02%	28.49x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pharo surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name	Count
Mary	11
Ann	7
Elizabeth	6
Alice	4
Eliza	4
Jane	4
Sarah	4
Annie	3
Ellen	3
Emma	3
Anne	2
Caroline	2
Charlotte	2
Emily	2
Harriet	2
Ada	1
Adaline	1
Amelia	1
Egpren	1
Eleaner	1
Elisa	1
Elizth.	1
Esther	1
Fanny	1
Frances	1
Georgina	1
Hannah	1
Holly	1
Kate	1
Louisa	1
Matilda	1
Minnie	1
Rhoda	1
Rosa	1
Selina	1
Silva	1
Susanna	1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Pharo surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name	Count
George	12
Thomas	11
William	9
John	6
Samuel	4
Charles	3
Edward	3
Frank	3
James	3
Richard	3
Henry	2
Aaron	1
Albert	1
Alfred	1
Ambrose	1
Arron	1
Bertram	1
Cecill	1
Clifford	1
Daniel	1
David	1
Fredk.	1
Fredrick	1
Harry	1
Issac	1
Jim	1
Leonard	1
Stephen	1
T.E.	1
Willie	1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Pharo households.

Occupation	Count
Scholar	28
Laundress	8
Farm Labourer	4
General Laborer	3
General Labourer	3
Ag Lab	2
Agr Labr (Pauper)	2
Agricultural Laborer	2
Brickmaker	2
Carmen	2
Charwoman	2
Farm Labr	2
Gardener	2
Laborer	2
Labourer	2
Ag Laborer	1
Arsenal Laborer	1
Assistant House Work	1
Carpenter & Joiner	1
Coach Painter	1
Cook	1
Cook Domestic Servant	1
Cotton Weaver	1
Dom Serv	1
Domestic	1
Domestic Serv Housemaid Unemployed	1
Excavator	1
Farm Servant	1
Farm Servt (Indoor)	1
Gas Engineers Clerk	1
General Labourer (Servant)	1
General Servant	1
Genl Labourer	1
Genl Servant Domestic	1
Genl Servt	1
Housemaid	1
Housemaid Domestic	1
Housewife	1
Labourer At The Gas House	1
Leather Cutter	1
Market Gardener	1
Nursemaid (D)	1
Page Boy	1
Railway Engine Stoker	1
Serv Gen Dom	1
Tailors Cutter	1
Wheelwright	1
Wheelwright Apprentice	1
Wife	1

FAQ

Pharo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pharo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 159 people were recorded with the Pharo surname. That placed it at #14,935 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pharo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016. That gives Pharo a modern rank of #19,591.

What does the Pharo surname mean?