>>surnames is comparatively recent, often preserving a phonetic spelling >>found in a seventeenth- or eighteenth-century parish register. Pharaoh is a reconstructed spelling of Faro, originally farrer, found also as Farrey, Farrah and Farrow in the seventeenth century." >>none of the names mentioned as being in the register are in the IGI There are Farrows in the IGI in the 17th century in Bedfordshire. And Faro is listed with Farrow or Pharoah. There are Farras in Bedforshire and Farrahs in Cambs. Also Dorset and Durham. Farey/Ferye/Fairy and other variations also in Beds. Reaney and Wilson also say they are all variations of Ferrer [an early Yorks name according to them] with local pronounciation causing the variations. Possibly Pharaoh/Farrow is similar to Phillimore/Filmore. Just depends - Bedfordshire was home to quite a few of the earliest colonists in America. And I see that Farrar Flinton [Pharaoh Flinton] is sometimes given as his first name. If he was Farrar or Ferrer that might point to the north of England. Since there are Flinton/Flinden/Flyndens in Bedfordshire 1500s-1600s maybe a Farrow [Pharaoh] - Flinton marriage produced his name. Liane