Weaver History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Germany 


The name Weaver was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a weaver. The surname Weaver 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 Weaver family

The surname Weaver 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 Weaver family

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

Weaver Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Weaver include Weaver, Wever, Weever and others.

Early Notables of the Weaver family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Weaver World Ranking

In the United States, the name Weaver is the 190th most popular surname with an estimated 131,811 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Weaver is ranked the 849th most popular surname with an estimated 4,648 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Weaver is the 698th popular surname with an estimated 1,021 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Weaver as 561st with 11,561 people. 8


Weaver migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Weavers to arrive on North American shores:

Weaver Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Weaver Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Weaver Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Weaver Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Weaver migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Weaver Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Weaver Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Weaver migration to Australia +

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

Weaver Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Weaver 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:

Weaver Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Weaver 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. 17
Weaver Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Weaver (post 1700) +


The Weaver 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.


Suggested Readings for the name Weaver +
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