Theophanes 7 was a member of the Pharganos family (ὁ ἐκ Φαργάνων - cf. Winkelmann, Quellenstudien, p. 165): Georg. Mon. Cont. 815 (ὁ ἐκ Φαργάνων), 821 (τὸν ἐπιλεγόμενον Φάργανον), Leo Gramm. 229 (ὁ ἐκ Φαργάνων), 235, 236, Ps.-Symeon 657. The name is spelt Φάλγανον at Leo Gramm. 235, 236, Ps.-Symeon 657. Described as outstandingly strong and brave; in 844, he and others who opposed Theoktistos 3 deserted to the Arabs during the campaign led by Theoktistos against Amr 2, which ended with the Byzantine defeat at Mauropotamos; later Theophanes 7 fled back to the Christians (προσφεύγει τοῖς Χριστιανοῖς) after obtaining promises of safety: Georg. Mon. Cont. 815, Leo Gramm. 229. The campaign is dated in the third year of the empress Theodora (Theodora 2) by Pseudo-Symeon, i.e. 844: Ps.-Symeon 654 (Theophanes is not mentioned).

Later Theophanes 7 held the post of protovestiarios (τὸν Θεοφάνην πρωτοβεστιάριον): Georg. Mon. Cont. 821, Leo Gramm. 235. According to the Pseudo-Symeon, he was protospatharios: Ps.-Symeon 657 (τὸν πρωτοσπαθάριον Θεοφάνην τὸν Φαλγάνην). Because of his strength (ὡς ἠνδρειωμένον: Georg. Mon. Cont., Leo Gramm.), he was brought into the conspiracy formed by Bardas 5 to kill Theoktistos 3: Georg. Mon. Cont. 821, Leo Gramm. 235, Ps.-Symeon 657. It was he and Bardas 5 who actually killed Theoktistos: Leo Gramm. 236. The date given in Ps.-Symeon is the thirteenth year of Michael, i.e. 854: Ps.-Symeon 657 (these dates are not reliable).

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