Fairley

Fairley is a small civil parish and hamlet situated in the North East of England within the Shire County of Northumberland. It lies approximately 3.5 kilometres east of the market town of Morpeth and falls under the Durham constituency for Westminster representation. The parish has a long history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears under the name Farel. Its name is believed to derive from the Old English fēor, reflecting its former role as an area of fair land.

Population figures have fluctuated over the centuries, with the 2011 census recording 147 inhabitants. The community is predominantly rural, with agriculture being the principal economic activity. The parish is served by the B6340 road which connects it to neighboring villages such as Prudhoe and Alnwick.

Notable residents include the British colonial administrator Sir Thomas Fairley (1874–1952) who served as Governor of the Straits Settlements, and the 20th‑century author Margaret Fairley, whose works focused on rural life. The surname Fairley is primarily of Lowland Scot and Northumbrian origin. In addition to the English locality, Fairley appears as a place name in several other countries, including an unincorporated community in Alberta, Canada, and a small settlement in the Otago region of New Zealand.

References are available from the National Archives, Office for National Statistics and local parish records. External links include the parish council website and historical maps.