Surname Weaver - Meaning and Origin

A Rendezvous with Ancestors: How iGENEA Altered the Understanding of My Weaver Lineage

An in-depth DNA test through iGENEA unraveled surprising and enlightening facts about the Weaver family heritage, profoundly reshaping personal self-perception and views on ancestry.

V. Weaver

Weaver: What does the surname Weaver mean?

The last name Weaver is of Old English origin and derives from an occupation. It was typically given to individuals who were weavers by trade. The name is derived from the Old English term "wefan," which means "to weave." In the middle ages, this was a vital job involved in creating cloth from raw wool, linen or silk; hence such occupational surnames were quite common. Since weaving was a universally practiced craft, this surname can be found all across Europe in different forms such as Weber in Germany, Tejedor in Spain, and Tessitore in Italy. So a person bearing the surname Weaver is likely to have an ancestor who was a professional weaver.

Weaver: Where does the name Weaver come from?

The last name Weaver is most common in historically English-speaking countries. In the United States, the Weavers are most numerous in Pennsylvania, where it ranks 32nd in terms of state population. Weaver families are also found throughout the Midwest, in states such as Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

In Canada, the last name is heavily concentrated in the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia. Weaver families also have a significant presence in the United Kingdom, especially in England and Wales.

The Weaver name also appears in other English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In addition, a Weaver family can be found in France, where the surname is believed to have originated.

As can be seen, the Weaver name has spread throughout the English-speaking world. Although it is not as popular as some other surnames, it still ranks consistently in the top 500 names in each of the countries listed above.

Variations of the surname Weaver

The surname Weaver is of Anglo-Saxon English origin. It is a very old surname, believed first to have appeared in the records of Shropshire in the 12th century with the earliest recorded spelling of Wevyr. This spelling of the surname has been found in the Pipe Rolls of 1230 and the Close Rolls of 1277.

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Weaver include Weavar, Wevyr, Webb, Webbere, Webere, Weaber, Webbere, Weberer, Webar, Webor, Webar and Wever. The modern day spellings of the surname Weaver are Weavers, Webber, Weever, and Harper.

Webb is the most common variant of Weaver and is derived from the Old English word, weber, meaning weaver. This variation of the Weaver surname first appeared in the Midlands and East Anglia area of England and Ireland in the 13th century and can also be found among Welsh families whose roots can be traced back to those areas.

Harper is derived from the Old French word, harpere, which itself derives from the Germanic word, heriper. It was used to describe someone who either made or played the harp.

Weever is a variant of Weaver which is quite rare and found mostly in northern England and Scotland. It comes from an old occupational name from the Olde English term, weovre, which referred to the maker of woolen goods or garments.

In conclusion, there are many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Weaver. The most common variants include Webb, Weever, and Harper, but many other forms exist in English, Welsh, and Scottish records. It is a very old surname and still quite commonly seen today.

Famous people with the name Weaver

• Sigourney Weaver: American actress known best for starring in the sci-fi classic Alien and the four sequels
• Dennis Weaver: American actor best known for his roles in the TV shows Gunsmoke, McCloud, and Gentle Ben, and the films Duel and Asteroid
• Dody Weaver: TV presenter and radio show host
• Fritz Weaver: American actor, best known for his work in theater and television
• Jack Weaver: American competition shooter who won a number of gold medals in the Olympics and other events
• James Weaver: British racing driver who competed in a number of different disciplines including IndyCar and the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Jason Weaver: American actor, singer, and dancer
• Randy Weaver: American actor and musician best known for his role in the film Dead Poets Society
• Reggie Weaver: American football player who played for the Kansas City Chiefs
• Robby Weaver: Voice actor and comedian
• Warren Weaver: American mathematician, engineer, and science administrator

Other surnames

WeaverlinWeaverlingWeavers