Introduction

Families on Pharay

The main families on Pharay were there for generations, including most of the 19th century and into the 20th century. In later periods, some of the old Pharay families left and new ones arrived. These were often related to the old families in some way. However, the tendency was for more change and for the newcomers to stay for shorter periods.

The families can be divided into those appearing only at early date, those appearing on the island over generations covered by the censuses and the newcomers. An early glimpse of the families may be obtained from an 1810 rental of James Stuart of Brugh in Westray, while the movement of later residents can traced through the published censuses from 1841 and also the valuation rolls.

Early Families:	Long Residing Families:	Newcomers:
Cooper	Burgher	Harcus	Moar
Gray*	Drever*	Groat	Reid
Hourston*	Drummond	Kent	Rendall
Reid	Groat*	Leslie	Seatter
Sinclair*	Harcus*	Meil	Stevenson
Stevenson*			Wallace

* surnames also appearing in the 1810 rental