[Application of Faa, the surname of a tribe of Scotch gipsies; prob. a cognomen originally identical with next adj.] A gipsy. Also attrib., as faw-gang, a gang of gipsies.
1756. Jarrow Par. Reg. Francis Heron, king of ye Faws, bur. 13 Jan.
1777. Brand, Pop. Antiq. (1849), III. 100. Gipsies still continue to be called ‘Faws’ in the N. of England.
1825. Brockett, N. C. Words, 69. Faw-gang, a company of riffraff.
1827. Mackenzie, Hist. Newcastle, II. 767, note. Tinkers, cloggers … egglers, and others of that worthy race called Faws.
1869. Peacock, Lonsdale Gloss., Faw-gang, a gang of rogues and beggars. (From Johnny Faa, a leader of rogues and beggars).
