Show ContentsWeaver History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Weaver was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a weaver. The surname Weaver was originally derived from the Old English word wefan, meaning a person who weaves cloth from long strands of fibre. [1]

Alternatively, the name could have been Norman in origin as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Hubert de Wevre, in Normandy in 1198. The same source notes Robert, Hugh, Ernald, Oger, Serlo, William, Gerard, Gauffrid Textor in Normandy 1180-95. [2]

Early Origins of the Weaver family

The surname Weaver was first found in Cheshire, where they held a family seat at the time of the Conquest, and Lords of the manor of Weaver. [3] They were descended from the Norman, Le Wevere.

One of the first records of the family in early rolls was Simon de Wevere in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1259. A few years later in Sussex, we found John le Weuere and William Weuere in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296. [4]

Early History of the Weaver family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weaver research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1550, 1603, 1616, 1627, 1630, 1633, 1638, 1639, 1640, 1645, 1649, 1653, 1663, 1673, 1685, 1687 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Weaver History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weaver Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Weaver include Weaver, Wever, Weever and others.

Early Notables of the Weaver family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Robert Wever (fl 1550), an English poet and dramatist; John Weaver (died 1685), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Stamford (1645); Robert Weaver (c.1630-1687), an English politician; and...
  • John Weaver (d. 1685), was an English politician of North Luffenham, Lincolnshire. "In January 1649 Weaver was named one of the commissioners for trying Charles I, but never attended any of the sittin...
  • Thomas Weaver (1616-1663), was an English poetaster, born at Worcester, son of Thomas Weaver. "Several of the family were prominent members of the Stationers' Company in London. An uncle of the poetas...

Weaver World Ranking

In the United States, the name Weaver is the 190th most popular surname with an estimated 131,811 people with that name. [5] However, in Australia, the name Weaver is ranked the 849th most popular surname with an estimated 4,648 people with that name. [6] And in New Zealand, the name Weaver is the 698th popular surname with an estimated 1,021 people with that name. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Weaver as 561st with 11,561 people. [8]


United States Weaver migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Weavers to arrive on North American shores:

Weaver Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Samuell Weaver, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Bonnie Bess" [9]
  • William Weaver, who landed in Virginia in 1623 [9]
  • Edmund and James Weaver, who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630
  • Clement Weaver, who landed in Rhode Island in 1630 [9]
  • Sergeant Clement Weaver (c. 1620-1683), English settler to America from Glastonbury, England between 1632 and 1635, member of the House of Deputies of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1678), one of the founders of East Greenwich
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Weaver Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Weaver, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 [9]
  • John Weaver, who landed in Maryland in 1705 [9]
  • Arthur Weaver, who landed in New England in 1726 [9]
  • Johannes Weaver, aged 22, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 [9]
  • Peter Weaver, who landed in Virginia in 1735 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Weaver Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Nathan Weaver, who arrived in Texas in 1830 [9]
  • Goodloe Weaver, who arrived in America in 1830 [9]
  • Linehart Weaver, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1837 [9]
  • Herman Weaver, who arrived in Maryland in 1838 [9]
  • Christian Weaver, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Weaver Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ms Rose A. Weaver, aged 25, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Canada Weaver migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Weaver Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Silas Weaver, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760
  • Mr. Frances Weaver U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [10]
  • Mr. Francis Weaver U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 [10]
  • Mr. Frederick Weaver U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 [10]
  • Mr. Frederick Weaver U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Weaver Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • David B Weaver, who landed in Canada in 1830
  • Henry Weaver, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Abraham Weaver, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Benjamin, Weaver Sr., who arrived in Canada in 1831
  • Daniel Weaver, who arrived in Canada in 1831

Australia Weaver migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Weaver Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Weaver, English wheelwright who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life for forgery, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [11]
  • Mr. Richard Weaver, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [12]
  • Mr. George Weaver, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [13]
  • George Weaver, English convict from Somerset, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [14]
  • Mr. James Weaver, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Weaver migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Weaver Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Weaver, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • Miss Ellen Martha Weaver, (b. 1858), aged 1 year 6 months, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
  • Mr. Arthur Weaver, (b. 1823), aged 36, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
  • Mrs. Eliza Weaver, (b. 1825), aged 34, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
  • Miss Mary Weaver, (b. 1855), aged 4, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 [16]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Weaver migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [17]
Weaver Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • John Weaver and his wife settled in Barbados in 1678

Contemporary Notables of the name Weaver (post 1700) +

  • Randall Claude Weaver (1948-2022), American survivalist and former Iowa factory worker and Green Beret who was a central participant in the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff at his cabin near Naples, Idaho that resulted in the deaths of his wife and son; his family eventually received a total of $3,100,000 in compensation for the killing of his wife and son by federal agents
  • Herbert Reese "Bert" Weaver (1932-2022), American professional golfer from Beaumont, Texas who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour
  • James B. Weaver (1833-1912), United States Representative from Iowa and Presidential candidate
  • DeWitt Thompson Weaver Jr. (1939-2021), American golf consultant and professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour
  • James Howard Weaver (1927-2020), American Democratic Party politician representing Oregon‘s 4th Congressional District from 1975 to 1987
  • Fritz William Weaver (1926-2016), American television, stage and movie actor, inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2010
  • James C. "Jim" Weaver (1945-2015), American football player, coach and college athletics administrator
  • Gertrude Weaver (1898-2015), née Gaines, an American supercentenarian who lived to be 116 years old
  • William Fense Weaver (1923-2013), American English language translator of modern Italian literature
  • Winstead Sheffield Glenndenning Dixon "Doodles" Weaver (1911-1983), American character actor, comedian and musician
  • ... (Another 26 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flight TWA 800
  • Miss. Monica M. Weaver (1980-1996), from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, USA, American student from Montoursville flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash [18]
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. Elijah M. Weaver (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died [19]
  • Mr. Sam Weaver (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died [19]
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Annie  Weaver (1893-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries [20]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Henry E Weaver (b. 1922), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Bassett, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [21]
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. John Herbert Weaver, British Boy 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking [22]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Jack Weaver, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [23]
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Richard D. Weaver, American Boatswain's Mate First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking [24]
  • Mr. Richard Walter Weaver, American Seaman First Class from Nevada, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [24]


The Weaver Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Esto fidelis
Motto Translation: Be Faithful.


Suggested Readings for the name Weaver +

  • Henry B. Weaver's Descendants by Elizabeth W. Shirk.
  • The George Philip Williams of Craig Co. Virginia and Aylett Weaver of Monroe Co. West Virginia by Herman Joseph Williams.
  • Virginia to Ohio and States West: Descendants of Peter Weaver and J. Jacob Kopp by Mary Mae Cupp Campbell.

  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
  19. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
  20. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  21. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  22. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  23. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  24. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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