Surname Webb - Meaning and Origin

Expanding Time's Scope: Uncovering Webb's Cultural and Historical Origins through iGENEA DNA Test

My iGENEA DNA test journey has revealed fascinating insights into the historical and cultural origins of my surname, Webb. The journey back in time traced the surname Webb back to early Anglo-Saxon culture in Britain, a testament to a lineage that began as an occupational moniker for a weaver and witnessed the rise and spread of the Industrial Revolution.

H. Webb

Webb: What does the surname Webb mean?

The surname Webb is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "webbe", which means "weaver". This indicates that the earliest generations of people with this surname likely worked as weavers. The weaving of wool was a key industry in the medieval English economy, and this occupation was considered to be fairly high status within the artisan class. Therefore, it was quite common for people to be identified by their trade, which later turned into hereditary surnames. Variations of the name Webb include Webbe, Webber and Webster. The popularity of the "Webb" surname can vary significantly in different regions. People with the surname Webb played crucial roles throughout history, contributing to society in a variety of fields such as sciences, arts, politics, and more.

Webb: Where does the name Webb come from?

The last name Webb is quite common today and can be found in various parts of the world. It is particularly prevalent in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the U.S., Webb is mostly concentrated in the Southern states, with Texas being one of the top states in which the name is found. In both the U.K. and Canada, it is especially popular in parts of Wales, Warwickshire, and Leicestershire in England, as well as Montreal in Canada.

In the United States, the name is ranked at number 522 in terms of frequency, making it one of the most popular surnames in the country. It is also the 40th most common name in Scotland and the 254th most common surname in England. In Canada, it is particularly common in larger cities, such as Toronto, where it ranks at number 325 out of 810,000 people.

The origin of the name is assumed to be of British origin, though it may have come to North America through various pathways. For instance, it is suspected to be of Norman origin, which means it was brought over by French-Norman settlers. It is also possible that the name is of Norse or Viking origin, as the name can be found in certain Scandinavian names.

Regardless of origin, Webb is a very common surname today and can be found in many different parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Webb

The surname Webb is an Anglo-Saxon name and can be found in many countries around the world. The surname has multiple possible spellings and variants including Web, Webber, Webb, Weber, Webbles, Webble, Weibel, Weibell, Webel, Webeler, Weible, and Weibel.

The spelling of Webb can be attributed to the language it originated in. For example, in Anglo Saxon England, ‘e’ was added to the name, instead of the German ‘e’, which explains why so many variants exist.

Webb is also derived from the Middle English word ‘webbe’, which was an Old English word meaning a weaver. This explains the variant Webber. Additionally, Webb is also an occupational name, and examples of this can be seen in the forms Webbles and Webel.

In some countries, such as the Netherlands, the surname is spelled Weibel, and this is thought to have been a corruption of the Dutch word ‘wibel’, which translates to ‘weaver’, the same occupational origin as Webber and Webbles.

Weible, Webeler and Weibell are all related to the variant Webber and have the same occupational origin, which is thought to have been a possible adaptation of the surname Webber.

Overall, the surname Webb has multiple spellings and variants due to the different languages and countries that it has migrated to, as well as its occupational origin.

Famous people with the name Webb

• Alison Webb: English actress, best known for playing the role of Keira Bishop in the BBC Three drama series Being Human.
• Bobby Webb: American singer from the 1960's folk-rock band The Byrds.
• Jack Webb: American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, an avid World War II expert, radio broadcaster, and entrepreneur.
• Jason Webb: American professional baseball coach and a former Major League Baseball (MLB) reliever.
• David Webb: British jeweller and silversmith; his own-name jewellery house is known for colourful, enamel animal-themed jewelled creations.
• Jeff Webb: American football coach and the head coach for the UTSA Roadrunners.
• Jim Webb: American politician and author, a former United States senator from Virginia, and a member of the Democratic Party.
• Marcus Webb: English singer and musician, most famous for providing vocals for the band Ocean Colour Scene.
• Matt Webb: British musician, guitarist and keyboardist for alternative band We Are Scientists.
• Robert Webb: English comedian, actor, writer, and director, and one half of the double act Mitchell and Webb.

Other surnames

WebbelerWebberWebbreWebelWebelerWebelingWebelsWebelsiepWeberWeberbauerWeberchenWeberheinzWeberingWeberleinWebermannWebermeierWeberringWebersWebertWeblerWebleyWebranitzWebreWebster