Webster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The distinguished surname Webster emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. Occupational surnames were derived from the common trades of the medieval era. The surname Webster is an occupational name for a weaver of cloth. The surname Webster is derived from the Old English word webbestre, which originally meant female weaver. 1 Nevertheless, this name came to commonly refer to male weavers in later times.

Early Origins of the Webster family

The surname Webster was first found in Derbyshire where they held considerable estates at Balsover from about the 13th century. "The Websters have their principal home in Derbyshire and afterwards in Yorkshire and Lancashire. They are also fairly represented in the eastern counties between the Humber and the Thames." 2

There was only one listing of the family in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: John le Webestere who was listed in Norfolk at that time. However, by the time of the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, there were more listings with spellings that are more contemporary: Alicia Wryght, huswyfe, webster; Robertas Webester, webster; Willelmus Webester, webster. 3 For occupational names such as these, the "occupation" was frequently listed after the entry.

Further to the north in Scotland, where the name had the same occupation, entries were later which could suggest a migration of the family there. Additionally, the name was often rendered in the Latin form of "textor." Robert textor de Inuerdoret was a witness in 1288, Malcolm Wobstare, was burgess of Stirling in 1436 and the house of William the weaver (textor) in Lanark is mentioned in the fifteenth century. 4

Early History of the Webster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Webster research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1571, 1576, 1580, 1610, 1625, 1682, 1689, 1722, 1758 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Webster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Webster Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Webster, Webstere and others.

Early Notables of the Webster family

Prominent in the family at this time was

John Webster (1580?-1625?), English dramatist, the son of a London tailor. "The father may be identical either with John Webster who was admitted to the freedom of the Merchant Taylors' Company on 10...
William Webster (1689-1758), was an English divine, born at Cove in Suffolk in December 1689, the son of Richard Webster (d. 1722.) 5

Webster World Ranking

In the United States, the name Webster is the 395^th most popular surname with an estimated 69,636 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Webster is ranked the 434^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,862 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Webster is the 168^th popular surname with an estimated 18,526 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Webster as 164^th with 3,172 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Webster as 141^st with 35,799 people. 10

Migration of the Webster family to Ireland

Some of the Webster family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Webster migration to the United States +

Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Webster:

Webster Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Roger Webster, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 11
John Webster, who arrived in Connecticut in 1630
John Webster, who landed in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1634 11
Francis Webster, aged 27, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport" 11
Mark Webster, who landed in Maryland in 1649 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Webster Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Margaret Webster, who landed in Virginia in 1703 11

Webster Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Robert Webster, aged 27, who landed in New York in 1812 11
Isaac Webster, who arrived in New York in 1822 11
Frederick L Webster, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1829 11
Richard Webster, who arrived in New York in 1830 11
Mr. John Webster, (b. 1812), aged 25, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship"Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Webster migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Webster Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mathew Webster, his wife, and three children, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Ann Webster, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Jane Webster, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Marina Webster, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Mary Webster, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Webster Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Webster, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1818 13
Joshua Webster, who arrived in Canada in 1830
Henry Boulton Webster, who landed in Canada in 1840

Webster migration to Australia +

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

Webster Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Matthew Webster, (Chubby), English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years , transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Jonathan Webster, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. John Webster, British Convict who was convicted in Leicestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. Thomas Webster who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Matthew Webster, British convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Webster 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:

Webster Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Webster, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
W Webster, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bengal Merchant 19
William Webster, aged 23, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 20
Mr. W. Webster, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" arriving in Port Nicholson, (Wellington Harbour), New Zealand on 20th February 1840 21
James Webster, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Webster Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

William Webster, aged 23, a farmer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Webster 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. 22

Webster Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Richard Webster, aged 24 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 23
Mr. Ralph Webster, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 24

Contemporary Notables of the name Webster (post 1700) +

Cornell Webster (1954-2022), American NFL football cornerback from Greenville, Tennessee who played four seasons for the Seattle Seahawks (1977-1980)
Elnardo Webster (1948-2022), American professional basketball player who played one season in the American Basketball Association in 1971
Clarence Howard "Bud" Webster (1952-2016), American science fiction and fantasy writer
George Amon Webster (1945-2013), American baritone vocalist and the pianist with the Cathedral Quartet (1969-1971)
Patti Webster (1964-2013), American entertainment publicist and author who represented notable recording artists, athletes, and actors, including Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Usher, Halle Berry, Chris Paul and Holly Robinson Peete
Howard Webster (1925-2013), American world champion steer roper, inducted into PRCA Hall of Fame and National Cowboy Hall of Fame
Nicholas Webster (1912-2006), American film and television director
Ben Webster (1909-1973), influential American jazz musician
William Hedgcock Webster (b. 1924), Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1978 to 1987, Director of Central Intelligence from 1987 to 1991, and Chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (2006-) 25
John G. Webster, American electrical engineer and a founding pioneer in the field of biomedical engineering
... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Webster family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Silfred Webster, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

RMS Lusitania

Master Henry Webster, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
Master William Webster, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 27
Mrs. Margaret Webster, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
Mr. Frederick G. Webster, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 27
Master Frederick Webster, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27

USS Arizona

Mr. Harold Dwayne Webster, American Seaman Second Class from Colorado, 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 28

The Webster 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: Fides et justitia
Motto Translation: Faith and justice.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
Shadow Time Settlers (Retrieved 5th November 2010), retrieved from http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/settlers.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
William Webster. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) William Webster. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hedgcock_Webster
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html