Show ContentsWeafers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Weafers reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Weafers family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest in 1066. Weafers is a name for a weaver. The surname Weafers 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 Weafers family

The surname Weafers 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 Weafers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weafers 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 Weafers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weafers Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Weaver, Wever, Weever and others.

Early Notables of the Weafers 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 (1673-1760), an English dancer and choreographer, and is often regarded as the father of English pantomime.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 sittings of the court. On 14 April 1653 parliament voted him Scottish lands to the...
Another 125 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Weafers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Weafers family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Weafers or a variant listed above: Edmund and James Weaver settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; John Weaver and his wife settled in Barbados in 1678; Samuel Weaver settled in Virginia in 1624.



The Weafers 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.


  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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook