Surname Wealre - Meaning and Origin
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Wealre: What does the surname Wealre mean?
The last name Wealre is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Middle English Wealere, meaning 'wool merchant'. It could also derive from the Old English wæl-re or wælf-re comprising elements that mean 'pool, swamp' and 'sheep', respectively, hence referring to one who generally dwelled in or near a land suitable for pasture of sheep.
The first record of the name in written documentation was Edward Wellere, in the records of the city of London in 1250. Other related spellings included Waller and Weller in the years following. By the 19th century, the spelling Wealre had become significant in various parts of England and was found associated with members of the gentry, in particular those with a landed or agricultural focus.
The Wealre name is now widespread throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, the US, Canada and Australia. People with this last name tend to be proud of their roots, as it not only represents their English ancestry, but also hints at the diversity of life centuries ago. It is a reminder of how lives used to be, that although the spelling of the name may have changed, the hardworking characteristics of those who carried it remain steadfast.
Order DNA origin analysisWealre: Where does the name Wealre come from?
The last name Wealre is most likely associated with England and Wales. This is because many English and Welsh surnames are derived from old English, Anglo-Saxons, and Welsh given names, which could explain the origin of the Wealre surname. Wealre is not a terribly common name today and is most likely found in the regions of England and Wales in the UK.
The name Wealre can also occasionally be seen in other countries in Europe, mainly due to emigration from Britain to other parts of the continent over the centuries. It is also not unheard-of in countries where British surnames are popular, such as the United States and Canada.
Wealre is derived from the Old English name Wælre, which means “wolf counsel”. It is therefore believed to have been either a profession name or a nickname for someone who had a connection to wolves, such as an animal trainer or a hunter. It is also possible that it was an occupational name for someone who advised other people as a counsellor or leader.
Wealre is an Anglo-Norman patronym, meaning that it can be traced back to a specific family. The Wealre family crest is described as a blue shield impaled with red and white quarters. This imagery refers to the Wolf Counsel surname, and is symbolically reminiscent of a wolf in profile view.
The Wealre name has been around for centuries and is still in use in some countries today, but it is far from a common surname. It is most likely to be located in England or Wales, but it may still be seen in some other parts of the world where British surnames are popular.
Variations of the surname Wealre
The surnames Walre, Waalre and Waalers are variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Wealre. The spelling Wealre is found in old German records and is usually translated as 'walnut tree'. It is believed to have originated from a location in Germany, possibly on the Rhine where a particular walnut tree was located. This area was known as the Waalre and later Waale.
Waalre, Waalers, and Walre originate from the same Germanic root, evoking the images of Walnut trees. The surname Waalers is also related to the Dutch term wale, which has its origins in old Dutch meaning to roll in the waves. This could have referred to a dwelling located near a body of water.
It is possible that the variations of the surname originated from when it was phonetically spelled, or from people who wanted to differentiate their line from other families with the same surname. Those with the surname, Waalers, expose their Dutch ancestry, while those with Walre and Wealre hint towards their German lineage.
The connect between the three surnames is clear, and so there is reason to believe that those with Wealre, Walre, and Waalers are related by an original ancestor, likely having a waalre tree as their heraldic symbol.
Famous people with the name Wealre
- Eoin Walters: a professional footballer who plays as a defender for St. Patrick's Athletic.
- John Walters: a former American football running back in the National Football League.
- Rikki Walters: lead guitarist of the band Allister.
- Thomas Wealre: a former professional footballer for a number of clubs in the English Football League.
- Catherine Wealre: a prominent British artist and sculptor.
- Stu Wealre: an award-winning CEO who serves as chairman of peer-to-peer finance platform TransferWise.
- Rob Wealre: a British television presenter, reporter and journalist.
- Ben Wealre: a professional American skateboarder.
- Mark Wealre: a Scottish actor best known for his performance in the hit comedy series Frasier.
- Gavin Wealre: an Australian Paralympic athlete who has represented his country at the Paralympic Games.