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Weber History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Weber History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

The distinguished surname Weber 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 Weber is an occupational name for a person who made his living as a weaver of cloth. The surname Weber is a derivative of the Old English word web, which means web or weaver.

Early Origins of the Weber family

The surname Weber was first found in Somerset where they were one of the many Flemish industrialist families who settled in the west country in the 13th century. John le Webber was listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1255; and later Hugo le Webbere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327. 1 The Calendarium Inquisitionum Post Mortem listed: Robert le Webber; and Clarice le Webbere. 2

Early History of the Weber family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weber research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1751 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Weber History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weber 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 Webber, Weber and others.

Early Notables of the Weber family

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Weber Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weber World Ranking

In the United States, the name Weber is the 323^rd most popular surname with an estimated 84,558 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Weber is ranked the 490^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,911 people with that name. 4 And in France, the name Weber is the 175^th popular surname with an estimated 19,366 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Weber as 750^th with 5,193 people. 6 Netherlands ranks Weber as 451^st with 3,737 people. 7

Migration of the Weber family to Ireland

Some of the Weber family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weber migration to the United States +

An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Weber:

Weber Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Else Weber, who landed in America in 1650 8

Weber Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Weber, who arrived in New York State with his family in 1708 and who was the first recorded immigrant of this name
Deobalt Weber, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 8
Christian Weber, aged 21, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1740 8
Dewald Weber, aged 17, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741 8
Elsbeth Weber, who arrived in Carolina in 1743 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Weber Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Weber, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1801 8
Barbara Weber, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 8
Ann Christiana Weber, aged 19, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 8
Babette Weber, who landed in New York, NY in 1832 8
Clara Weber, who arrived in America in 1837 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Weber Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Daniel Weber, aged 7, who landed in New York, NY in 1902 8

Weber migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Weber Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

August Langlotz Weber, who arrived in Quebec in 1850
Caroline Weber, aged 54, who landed in Quebec in 1868

Weber Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Adolf Weber, aged 8, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902

Weber migration to Australia +

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

Weber Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Erdmann Gottlieb Weber, aged 27, a landowner, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 9
Carl Weber, aged 20, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 9
Christian Weber, aged 60, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 9
Christian Weber, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 9
August Weber, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Victoria" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Weber 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:

Weber Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Adelphus Weber, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 14th October 1860 11
Ottilie Weber, aged 32, a servant, who arrived in Canterbury aboard the ship "Rimutaka" in 1885

Contemporary Notables of the name Weber (post 1700) +

Arnold Robert Weber (1929-2020), American academic, President of Northwestern University from 1984–1994
Charles Frederick Weber Jr. (1930-2017), American football linebacker in the National Football League who played from 1955 to 1961
Harold Weber, American bronze medalist for golf at the 1904 Olympic games
Joseph Weber (1919-2000), American physicist who developed the laser and gravitational wave detector
Jon Weber (b. 1961), American jazz pianist and composer
David Weber (b. 1952), American science fiction author
Adam Weber (b. 1987), American football player
Mary Ellen Weber (b. 1962), former NASA astronaut with over 450 hours in space 12
William Jennings Bryan "Ben" Weber (1916-1981), American composer
Max Weber (1881-1961), American painter
... (Another 27 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Weber family +

Bismarck

Theodor Weber (1915-1941), German Maschinenmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 13
Rudolf Weber (1919-1941), German Musikobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 13
Alfred Weber (1919-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 13

The Weber 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: Liliae praelucent telis
Motto Translation: Lillies outshine weapons of war.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"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
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) GELLERT 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Gellert.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) VICTORIA 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Victoria.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Mary Weber. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/weber.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details