Surname Welbie - Meaning and Origin
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Welbie: What does the surname Welbie mean?
The last name Welbie is of English origin, derived from the old English personal name Wlfbryth, meaning a “wolf” and “strength, brightness”. The personal name was reduced to Welfred, Welferd, and Welferryth, and these were eventually modernized to Welbie. Those with the surname likely are descended from the same line of people, likely tracing back to those who lived in early Yorkshire or the Derbyshire region of England.
Welbie is an uncommon surname, so there isn’t much research available on the origin of the name or its particular history. However, it is likely that the people who originally bore the name were of the strong, resourceful type, as evidenced by the meaning of their personal name.
In the modern age, the last name Welbie still stands out as a rather unique one, though there are some still carrying on its legacy in England and other parts of the world. While its exact origins remain unknown, the legacy of strength and courage that comes with this surname will remain in the minds of all those who bear their name, no matter the time or place.
Order DNA origin analysisWelbie: Where does the name Welbie come from?
The last name Welbie is quite rare today, and can mainly be found in the United Kingdom. In fact, according to the 2020 UK Census, there are only about 130 people in the entire country who share this surname.
Within England, Welbie is most commonly seen in the Yorkshire and The Humber region, particularly in the North Yorks Moors and the East Yorks Ridings. It is also found in the West Midlands, as well as in London. In Scotland, however, Welbie is much rarer, with no records found of it in the 2020 Census.
Outside of the UK, there is also a small number of people with the last name Welbie. Canada has the most of these individuals, with records showing them in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. In the United States, there are a few scattered Welbies in the states of Washington, California, and Nevada. Elsewhere, Welbie can also be found in South Africa and Australia.
Taking into account all the data, it is clear that today the last name Welbie is primarily found in the United Kingdom, and is much less common elsewhere in the world.
Variations of the surname Welbie
The surname Welbie is an English variant of the popular surname Welby. The origins of this surname date back to medieval England, when families adopted a form of a "byname" or locality name derived from their place of origin or residence. The spelling and variants of this surname such as Welby, Welbee, Weilbee, and Welbey can all be traced to the same origin, although each variant may represent a slightly different place of origin.
The variant spelling ‘Welby’ hsa its origins in Old English and is derived from the Old English pre 7th-century personal name ‘Wealdby’ translating literally as ‘the farmstead in the clearing,’ and denoting a settlement which had been newly created by the clearing of woodland. This variant is especially common in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Welbee is also an English variant, with its origin in the medieval Old English personal names ‘Wigbeald’ and ‘Wegbiwald’, which originally meant ‘the bold warrior’ or ‘the brave leader.’ This variant is most common in the county of Lincolnshire in England.
The surname Weilbee is a variant spelling of the name Welbie and has its origins in the Old English personal name ‘Weldebi’ which literally means ‘wayside residence,’ and was likely given to someone who lived near a roadside or pathway. This name is especially common in the area around Kent in England.
Finally, Welbey is another altogether separate variant of the same name, with its origin in the Olde English personal name ‘Weldbi’ which means ‘the valley farm’ and likely descends from a family who had their estate near a valley. This form of the name is most common in the county of Northumberland in England.
In conclusion, the surname Welbie has a few distinct variants including Welby, Welbee, Weilbee, and Welbey, which all originate from different Old English sources. Each variant likely represents a slightly different place of origin, although they all share the same roots.
Famous people with the name Welbie
- Stephanie Welbie: Actress in the television series “The Crown”
- Ella Welbie: Actress in the sitcom “Glee”
- Regina Welbie: Musician and songwriter
- Gail Welbie: Professional golfer
- Marcus Welbie: Professional football player
- Paul Welbie: Actor and producer
- Jacco Welbie: Singer and songwriter
- Kirsty Welbie: Model
- Pete Welbie: Writer and director
- Gavin Welbie: Professional basketball player