Show ContentsWheever History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Wheever is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a weaver. The surname Wheever 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 Wheever family

The surname Wheever 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 Wheever family

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

Wheever Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Weaver, Wever, Weever and others.

Early Notables of the Wheever 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 Wheever Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wheever family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Wheever 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 Wheever 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)


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