Weir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 
  England 


The surname Weir is of Norman origin. It was introduced into Normandy by Norsemen where it was derived from the Old Norse word "ver" which meant a "station" or "fishing station." After the Norman Conquest, the name was later derived from the Old English word "wær," or "wer," meaning "a weir." In both cases, the name was a topographic name. 1

Early Origins of the Weir family

The surname Weir was first found in Roxburghshire, where they were descended from Aubri de Vere, a descendant of the Duchess Judith in 1058. His son, another Aubri, accompanied William the Conqueror to Hastings in 1066, and built a castle at Hedingham in Essex, and held Kensington in Middlesex.

He was the ancestor of the Earls of Oxford. Although the de Veres were highly respected members of the aristocracy in England, a branch of the family moved northward in 1069 and settled in the lowlands of Scotland at Sprowestun, in Roxburghshire.

Another source provides more detail: "Of Norman origin from one or other of the places named Vere in Calvados, Manche, Eure-et-Loire, and Oise. The word was introduced into Normandy by the Norsemen from their own ver, a station, as in fiskiver, a fishing station, a word etymologically akin to Old English weir, wear, a dam. Ralph or Radulphus de Ver is perhaps the first of the name recorded in Scotland. As Ralph de Ver he was taken prisoner at Alnwick along with William the Lion in 1174. He witnessed a charter by King William "de decimis episcopatus" of Moray between 1174-84." 2

"The Weirs of Lesmahago, Blackwood, &c., in Lanarkshire, claim descent from the great baronial family of De Vere, having been founded in Scotland by Baltredus de Vere, in the reign of Malcolm IV., about the middle of the twelfth century. From documents quoted in Chambers' Caledonia, it appears that the name Vere, or Weir, was by no means uncommon among the Norman settlers in Scotland, in that century." 3

Some remained in England as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 noted: John de la Were, Oxfordshire; and Robert de la Were, Gloucestershire. 1

Early History of the Weir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weir research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1012, 1069, 1174, 1296, 1398, 1400, 1432, 1489, 1497, 1600, 1638, 1662, 1670, 1694, 1713, 1794, 1838, 1876 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Weir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weir Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Weir, Vere, Ver and others.

Early Notables of the Weir family

Notable among the family at this time was

Weir World Ranking

In the United States, the name Weir is the 1,698th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Weir is ranked the 684th most popular surname with an estimated 7,634 people with that name. 5 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Weir is the 577th popular surname with an estimated 80 people with that name. 6 Australia ranks Weir as 403rd with 9,161 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Weir as 269th with 2,252 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Weir as 511st with 12,734 people. 9

Migration of the Weir family to Ireland

Some of the Weir family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Weir migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Weir Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Weir Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Weir Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Weir migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Weir migration to Australia +

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

Weir Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Weir 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:

Weir Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Weir (post 1700) +


The Weir 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: Vero nihil verius
Motto Translation: Nothing truer than truth.


Suggested Readings for the name Weir +
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