EXHIBIT 23. 1.

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Prospectus
constituting  part of this  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4 of The  First
American Financial  Corporation of our report dated February 9, 1998,  appearing
on page 21 of The First American Financial  Corporation's  Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1997.  We also consent to the reference to
us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Costa Mesa, California
March 5, 1999