Scarrow is an old English name dating back as least as far as 1550, and probably further. The are two groupings of the Scarrow name in the UK, one in Cumberland (now part of Cumbria) and the other in Suffolk. Whether they are connected is yet to be determined. This site is about the Cumberland Scarrows.

The Scarrow name was quite prevalent in Cumberland from about 1600 through to late 19th Century. By the early 20th century, the name had all but disappeared from Cumbria.

From the earliest records so far unearthed, it would appear that the Scarrow's started out as yeoman in the area of Cumwhitton, south east of Carlisle. These early sources comprise two wills, those of John Scarrow (1599) and Anthony Scarrow (1608) both of Scarrow Hill. Of Scarrow Hill, the Magna Britannica (Cumberland) states the following:

At Scarrow-hill is a freehold estate, which in 1688 belonged to the Scarrows, a family of great antiquity at that place, since extinct, it is now in severalties.

Scarrow Hill is a small hamlet in this parish [Cumwhitton], so called from a scarr or rock wheron it stands. The inhabitants here are freeholders. Here dwells a gentleman of that name [Scarrow], who is of an ancient familie, who hath an estate here worth 40li a year.

The Scarrows gradually migrated north via Wetheral to Carlisle, where two brothers, Thomas and John ran several businesses. Thomas in particular left a rich history due to his many wives, trouble with the law and work with the council in Carlisle.

A group of Scarrows also appeared in Cockermouth, including the artist Thomas Scarrow, who was one of Joseph Sutton's circle. Some of these Scarrows made their way to the west coast of Cumberland and into Harrington where they enjoyed careers as master mariners, fortunately during a period for which many records still exist. Unfortunately, all but one died as a result of his occupation.

Into the twentieth century, and one man, Billy Scarrow made such a name for himself as an entertainer in Redcar, that he warrants a whole website to himself. This man is my grandfather.

Finally, this site is continually evolving, so if anyone out there has any related information, please contact me.

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