Wafer

Recorded in many spellings including Weaver, the patronymic Weavers, Wafer, Weafer, Wever, and possibly others, this is an English surname. It can be either an occupational or a locational surname. As an occupational surname it derives from the Olde English pre 7th century word "wefan", meaning to weave. Job-descriptive surnames originally denoted the actual occupation of the namebearer, and later became hereditary if and when a son followed his father into the same line of business. Weaver as a locational surname derives from the place called Weaver Hall in the county of Cheshire. This is recorded as "Wevre" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and as "Wevere" in 1300; the place stands on the river Weaver, which derives its name from the Olde English word "wefere", meaning a winding stream. Locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Joan Wafer married John Samuel at St Dunstans in the East, Stepney, on June 2nd 1615, whilst an interesting namebearer, listed in the "Dictionary of National Biography", was John Weaver (1673 - 1760). He was a famous dancing master and the original introducer of pantomimes into England. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Simon de Wevere. This was dated 1259, in the Assize Court rolls of Cheshire, during the reign of King Henry 111rd, 1216 - 1272. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.