Surname Wellbye - Meaning and Origin

Wellbye: What does the surname Wellbye mean?

The last name Wellbye is a derivate of the Middle English word "welbye", which means “wish farewell” and is a common phrase said when saying goodbye. It is thought to have originated in medieval times, when parting ways with friends was done with a hearty "wellbye".

This phrase is said to be an expression of goodwill and good wishes to those saying farewell. It expresses hope that the persons parting ways will meet again in good health. At the same time, it symbolizes the wish that the person's path is filled with joy and success. The name could have been given to families as a reminder of the special nature of farewells.

Today, the surname Wellbye is still quite common in Europe, as it has spread through different countries over the centuries. Although its origin as a farewell greeting has been lost in time, its meaning still pervades its modern usage. Thus, the family Wellbye can be considered to have a meaning of good luck and wishes for a successful journey, especially for those taking up the family name.

Wellbye: Where does the name Wellbye come from?

The Wellbye surname is most common today in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Wellbye surname is of English origin, derived from either a location name or a trade name.

The Wellbye surname is thought to derive from an Old English given name with the elements ‘wealh’ and ‘by’, which mean ‘foreigner’ and ‘farm’ or ‘settlement’ respectively. It is possible that the Wellbye surname is a descriptive name for a person from a foreign settlement.

The Wellbye surname is especially common in the US with many individuals tracing their lineage back to the earliest settlers. The 1910 US census showed 1,466 people with the Wellbye surname living in the United States.

The Wellbye surname is also common in the United Kingdom, with many families having English or Welsh roots. The 1881 UK census showed a total of 573 individuals with the Wellbye surname living in England and Wales.

The Wellbye surname is still quite common today. A simple Google search will reveal hundreds of instances of individuals with the Wellbye surname in each of the countries mentioned above. Many of these individuals are descendants of the earliest settlers, while others are immigrants with different backgrounds.

Variations of the surname Wellbye

Wellbye is a rare English surname. It is an anglicised form of the Old Norse personal name Vélbíðr, derived from the personal name Vél, meaning ‘battle’, as well as the Old Norse byðr, meaning ‘ready’ or ‘prepared’. As a result, Wellbye likely originated as a nickname for a battle-ready or warlike individual.

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Wellbye may include Welby, Wellby, Wellbee, Welbee, and Welleby. Others include Vellby, Vellbey, Vellebey, Vellebee, VegVellby, Vegbiby, Wellsby, Velveby, Wellesby, Wallabee, Wobey, Wobbly, Waibling, Wilbee, and Wobblebee.

Welby is the most common of these variants, and is a name that dates back to the 14th century. It may also derive from either the old Scandinavian greeting ‘waell-by’ (meaning 'good morning’) or from ‘weald’, an Anglo-Saxon term for ‘forest’.

In England, the surname often appears in the records in the form of Welby, Welbie, or Wellby, all of which mean the same; however, the name is also found in the United States and Canada as Wellbee, Welbee, and Welleby.

Overall, regardless of the spelling, Wellbye and its variants are all derived from the same Scandinavian personal name. It is likely that this name originated as a nickname for a battle-ready or warlike individual, with other variants deriving from either the old Scandinavian greeting or from an Anglo-Saxon term for ‘forest’.

Famous people with the name Wellbye

• Che Wellbye: Danish actor, comedian, and writer
• Dorthe Wellbye: Danish Actress
• Johannes Wellbye: Danish Actor
• Jon Wellbye: Danish Actor
• Louis Wellbye: Danish Actor
• Mikkel Wellbye: Danish Actor
• Peter Wellbye: Danish Actor
• Elsie Wellbye: English Actress
• Edward Wellbye: English Dramatist
• Sir Henry Wellbye: Former Governor of the Bank of England
• George Wellbye: American Actor
• Harry Wellbye: English Actor
• Albert Wellbye: English Playwright
• Carl Wellbye: Norwegian Actor
• Pernille Wellbye: Danish Actress
• William Wellbye: English Actor
• Laura Wellbye: American Actress
• Jennifer Wellbye: Canadian Actress
• Camilla Wellbye: Danish Actress
• Maria Wellbye: Spanish Actress

Other surnames

WellbeloveWellbelovedWellbornWellby