Surname Wetherbee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wetherbee: What does the surname Wetherbee mean?
The last name Wetherbee is an English surname derived from the Old English words “weather” and “bee”, which translates to “weather-farmer” or “bee-keeper”. This name likely initially referred to someone who made a living from the observation and interpretation of the weather, showing his or her expertise in agricultural and bee-keeping practices that depend on local climatic trends.
Today, the name Wetherbee is still predominantly found in the UK and the northeastern United States. The presence of this name in both regions is a testament to the early exodus across the Atlantic, which saw a number of Europeans settling in the New World.
Interestingly, this last name also crops up in Slovenia, which could point to an earlier migration. The names Weitbrecht and Vetbrecht and their many variations are found in many eastern European countries, with an origin that may be Germanic or Slavic.
In sum, the last name Wetherbee brings to mind images ofdiligent farmers and bee-keepers who kept an eye on the forecast for their livelihoods and that of their families. It also speaks of a long heritage, stretching across countries, continents, and centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWetherbee: Where does the name Wetherbee come from?
The surname Wetherbee is a derived from a location, so it is most common in the places with which the original locational reference was associated. In the United Kingdom, the last name Wetherbee is found particularly in the county of Yorkshire, in the east of England. This is connected to the village now known as Wetherby, which derives its name from the Old Englishcombination of words 'wether' and 'by', referring to an enclosure or settlement where wethers (rams) were kept.
In the United States, the surname Wetherbee is most commonly associated with the state of Massachusetts in New England. There is a town called Wethersfield in Connecticut, and many people of English ancestry living in New England adopted the name Wetherbee to refer to their heritage or to simply honor the location.
The most usual spelling of this name in the US is 'Weatherby' or 'Weatherbee'. The name is also popular in Canada and Australia. In those countries, it is likely that the name derives from English settlers who arrived there during the 18th and 19th centuries.
In terms of its modern day distribution, the surname Wetherbee is most prevalent in the US and the UK. It is also relatively uncommon, with a surprisingly low usage rate.
Variations of the surname Wetherbee
The surname Wetherbee has multiple variants, spellings, and potential surnames of the same origin. Variations of the surname include Waddington, Wadding, Wadden, Waddell, Waddingon, Waddel, Weatherbee, Weatherby, Wetherill, Wetherby, Wetherill, Weatherill, Wetherill, Wetherby, Wetherbee, Wetherbee, Wetherb, Wetherbie, Wetherly, Wethrill, Wetherly, Wetterell, Wetherell, Wetherbee, Wethereby and Wetherbee.
The surname Wetherbee is derived from the Old English term "wether," which means a castrated ram. It was originally an occupational name for someone who raised these animals. This surname is found in England and Wales, where it has been common since the Middle Ages. In the United States, the surname was among the earliest settlers into New England, having arrived as early as 1620.
Many of these variants can be found all over the world, with the highest concentrations being in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Canada, and the United States. The spelling of the name has changed over time, with some variations being more common than others in certain areas.
Variations of this surname can be found with different spellings and surnames, as well as within other languages. For example, Wetherbee can be written as Wacke in German, Wick in Dutch, or Väckkä in Swedish. The numerous variants all stem from the same occupation and origins.
Famous people with the name Wetherbee
- William Wetherbee: American author specializing in science fiction and fantasy, who became an award-winning screenwriter.
- Thomas H. Wetherbee: American naval officer and rear admiral who served in the latter part of the 19th century.
- Roy Wetherbee: American football player who played for the University of Iowa football team in the 1920s.
- Virginia Wetherbee: Spanish-American classical pianist and concert artist.
- Neal Wetherbee: Grammy-nominated American violinist and composer.
- John Wetherbee: English actor, writer, and director best known for his career in British theatre and film.
- Jeff Wetherbee: American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL).
- Scott Wetherbee: Professional American surfer.
- Mark Wetherbee: American ice hockey referee and former professional ice hockey player.
- David Wetherbee: American track and field athlete who competed in pole vaulting events.