WEIR
Weir
Origin and Meaning: Weir is a surname of Scottish and English origin, derived from the Old English word 'wer', meaning 'weir' or 'fish trap'. It is believed to have been used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a dam or fish trap.
History: The Weir surname has ancient roots in Scotland and England. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 12th century in Yorkshire, England. Over time, the name spread throughout the British Isles, and Weir families can be found in various regions of the United Kingdom.
Notable Individuals:
- Bob Weir: An American musician, best known as a founding member of the rock band the Grateful Dead.
- David Weir: A Scottish former footballer, considered one of the greatest defenders in Scottish football history.
- Amanda Weir: An American Olympic swimmer who has won multiple medals in international competitions.
Variants: Variants of the surname Weir include Wear, Ware, Wier, and Weare.
Popularity: The surname Weir is relatively common in the United Kingdom and abroad, with individuals of Weir descent found in various countries. It continues to be passed down through generations, preserving the legacy of the Weir family name.
References:
- Reaney, Percy H., and Wilson, Richard M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
There are approximately 14,139 people named Weir in the UK. That makes it the 631st most common surname in Britain. Around 217 in a million people in Britain are named Weir.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- George
- James
- John
- Michael
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jean
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Wier
- Wear
- Weare
- Wire
- Ware
- Wair
- Weer
- Wehr
- Waire
- War
- Weers
- Wears
- Wahr
- Warr
- Weary
- Were
- Wearr
- Weaire
- Wei
- Weire
- Weirs
- Weres
- Wero
- Werr
- Werra
- Werro
- Wers
- Wery
- Whear
- Wheare
- Wheer
- Wheir
- Wher
- Where
- Whier
- Whiers
- Whire
- Whur
- Whyer
- Wiers
- Wirr
- Wirz
- Woor
- Wore
- Worr
- Wurr
- Wyer
- Wyers
- Warre
- Wayre
- Wehrie
- Weier
- Werey
- Werry
- Weru
- Whare
- Whery
- Whurr
- Whyers
- Wira
- Wires
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.