Surname Wetherbe - Meaning and Origin
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Wetherbe: What does the surname Wetherbe mean?
The last name Wetherbe is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a variant of Weatherby, which is a locational surname derived from a place called Wetherby in West Yorkshire. The place name literally means "sheep farm," derived from the Old Norse word "veðr" (meaning wether or ram) and the Old English word "byr" (meaning farm or settlement). As a surname, it implies that the original bearer hailed from this region or owned a sheep farm. Such geographical or occupational names were quite common as last names during medieval times, providing an easy way to identify individuals. It's important to note that over centuries and through migration, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname might have changed, leading to various versions like Wetherbee, Whetherby, etc. Therefore, the Wetherbe surname links back to the early roots of British socio-cultural history.
Order DNA origin analysisWetherbe: Where does the name Wetherbe come from?
The last name Wetherbe is most common in the United States, predominantly in the states of Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Wetherbe is a relatively rare name, but it has a long history in US Census records, with the first recorded use in 1790.
Since then, Wetherbe has been found in many areas across the country. Maryland has the highest concentration of Wetherbes, with more than 1400 individuals having the name. In Pennsylvania, the name is found mostly in the eastern and southeastern regions, with smaller populations dispersed in the central and western regions.
Massachusetts has the third-highest concentration of Wetherbes, with more than 1100 individuals accounted for. The majority of this population is located in Eastern Massachusetts, particularly along the coastline. Beyond these states, the Wetherbe name is relatively uncommon.
Beyond the United States, Wetherbe can also be found in Australia and Canada. In Canada, the most common region for Wetherbes is the province of Alberta, while Australia has a much smaller concentration, with the majority of its Wetherbes located in Sydney.
Overall, the last name Wetherbe is an uncommon name, although it has a strong presence in the United States, particularly in the East Coast region.
Variations of the surname Wetherbe
The surname Wetherbe has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In England, variants include Wetherbie, Wetherbay, Wetherell, Weterby, and Gunby. Another variant of the name is Wetherbee, which is used in the United States.
In Scotland, variants of the name include Witherby, Witherbee, and Witherbie. Witherby is a very popular spelling of the name.
In Ireland, the name is spelled as Wetherby. It is one of the most commonly used spellings of the name in that country.
In Germany, the variants of the name Wetherby include Wetherell, Wetherellen, Wetherelb, and Wetherelle.
In France, the variants of the name include Wetherel, Wetherelt, Wetherelte, and Wetherelth.
Overall, the surname Wetherby is a very ancient surname that has many different spellings and variants in different countries. This indicates that the name has a long history and has spread far and wide. As such, it is important to understand the various spellings and variants so that a person can trace their family history and heritage.
Famous people with the name Wetherbe
- Jamie Wetherbe: Co-founder of the wearable device company Xenxo
- Jesse Wetherbe: Classical Violinist and Founder of the MuzikMakers organization
- Caleb Wetherbe: Professional Bell Ringer at Carillon Bells of Spain
- Marv Wetherbe: American Record Producer and Documentary Filmmaker
- Randy Wetherbe: Former USAF Pilot and Chief of Flight Safety Branch
- Martha Wetherbe: Professional Violist and Part of The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
- Steve Wetherbe: Former Cinematographer and Visual Effects Artist
- David Wetherbe: Senior Vice President of Universal Pictures
- Nina Wetherbe: Professional Television Host and Radio Announcer
- Kim Wetherbe: Event Coordinator for the National Charity League of America