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![Show Contents]() Alweather History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Alweather familyThe surname Alweather was first found in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: John Fayrweder in Cambridgeshire; and Hugh Fairweder in Lincolnshire. 1 There are various thoughts as to the origin of the name. They include: "a nickname for one of a jovial or sunny disposition," 2; and "one who worked only in good weather; one with a happy disposition," 1 3 By far, the strongest showing for the surname lies in Scotland where " John Phairwedder held a land in Perth in the reign of James II and Christopher Farewethir was serjeant of Linlithgow in 1472. The surname is of considerable antiquity in the Menmuir district. Valter Farwedder, presbyter of Dunkeld, whose name appears in 1547-63 is probably the first of the name in the locality. There were Fairweathers in Blairno in Navar in the early seventeenth century." 4 By the 16th century, "Thomas Fairweather is recorded in Dundee in 1583, and eighteen more of the name appear in the Commissariot Record of Brechin between 1576 and 1800. Thomas Fairwoder was burgess of Dundee in 1634, and the Devil rebaptized the witch Catherine Skair in Brechin by the name of Isoble Farewedder. Janet Fairweather is recorded in the parish of Olrik in 1664 (Caithness), and John Fairweather of Turriff was killed in the first Great War." "A fanciful story is told of the origin of the name of the Fairweathers of Angus. This sept, it is said, was a branch of the old tribe of Morrey. The name is said, according to private family tradition, to be derived from three brothers' of the ancient Murrevians, who being forced to leave the north, assumed the name, in order to perpetuate the remembrance of their northern descent." 4 Early History of the Alweather familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alweather research. Another 283 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1274, 1350, 1477, 1547, 1583, 1600, 1609 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Alweather History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Alweather Spelling VariationsThe name Alweather, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Fairweather, Fareweather and others. Early Notables of the Alweather familyMore information is included under the topic Early Alweather Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Alweather familyThe New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Alweather family, or who bore a variation of the surname Alweather were the group of immigrants that purchased land in Massachusetts in the mid 1600's and started a new life. Other members of the Fairweather name moved further south to Virginia and a large number landed in Pennsylvania in the late 1800's. In addition the Fairweathers were part of the large contingent of Scottish families that made their home in Canada..
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: Volvitur et ridet
Motto Translation: He revolves and smiles.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- 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)
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