Weaver 2

Weaver is a surname that can originate from one of several sources. In some cases, it is occupational, referring to a weaver of cloth, from the Old English wefan. But in other instances, it may be a locational surname deriving from the River Weaver in Cheshire, England. The river's name comes from the Old English wefer meaning "winding stream", referring to its meandering course.

The River Weaver flows through the county of Cheshire in northwestern England, passing through the towns of Nantwich and Winsford before joining the River Mersey. Historically, the river was important for transportation, especially in the 18th century when the Weaver Navigation improved connections between the salt mines of Cheshire and the port of Liverpool. Surnames derived from local geographical features, such as rivers, were common in medieval England as a way to identify people by the landscape around their homes.

As an English surname, Weaver is relatively widespread but most common in the West Midlands and northwestern counties including Cheshire and Lancashire. Variants of the name include the more common occupational spelling Weaver (without the space) and Webster, which are other forms. Notable bearers of the surname Weaver include American comedian Danny Weaver and Canadian actor Douglas Weaver.