Wayer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Wayer is derived from the Old English word "wer" which meant a "weir, dam, fishing-trap" In other words, the family were "dwellers by a dam" or "keepers of the fishing-weir," or fishermen. Today in Britain, Weare and Lower Weare are small villages in Somerset, England, on the River Axe, south of the Mendip Hills. And in the United States, Weare, New Hampshire; and Weare Township, Michigan are listed.

Early Origins of the Wayer family

The surname Wayer was first found in Devon where one of the first records was Peter de la Were who was listed in a census in 1242 and John atte Were was listed in a Somerset census in 1332. 1

Traditionally, this family derive from an ancient branch of the Giffards of Devon and Somerset and are not related to the Weir of Vere families. Some say, in early times before the 12th century, the Weare-Giffards of Brightly and Halsworthy took the name Weare and eventually dropped the Giffard portion of the name.

"Jacobstow [Ccornwall] in the year 1573, had the honour of giving birth to Diggory Wheare, the author of a life of Camden, a treatise on reading history, and other works. He was appointed by Camden as his first reader in history at Oxford." 2

Early History of the Wayer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wayer research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1573, 1593, 1600, 1623, 1647, 1700 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wayer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wayer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Were, Where, Wear, Wears, Weare and others.

Early Notables of the Wayer family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Degory Wheare (1573-1647), English professor of history at Oxford University, born at the mansion of Berry Court, Jacobstow, about eight miles south of Stratton in North Cornwall. "He matriculated from Broadgates Hall, Oxford, on 6...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wayer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wayer family to Ireland

Some of the Wayer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wayer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wayer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anna Wayer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 3
Elizb Wayer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 3
Leonardt Wayer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 3
Margaret Wayer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 3

The Wayer 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: Fuimus
Motto Translation: God and my country.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
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)