Surname Witherbee - Meaning and Origin
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Witherbee: What does the surname Witherbee mean?
The surname Witherbee is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a habitational name, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. It's believed to have originated from Withycombe, a place in the county of Devon, England. Historically, this surname has been spelled in various ways, including Withercombe, Withercumbe, Withacomb, Withacumbe, Witherbee, and more.
The elements of the name can be broken down into two parts: 'Withy,' which means willow in Old English, and 'Cumb,' which usually refers to a valley. Therefore, the name could have initially indicated a person or family residing in or near a valley filled with willow trees. Like many surnames, Witherbee's original function was to help identify people by where they lived or came from. Over time, these locational names were passed down, thus forming a family surname. Since it is less common, tracing the name 'Witherbee' allows a relatively precise genealogical line to be drawn.
Order DNA origin analysisWitherbee: Where does the name Witherbee come from?
Today, the last name Witherbee is commonly found throughout the United States. It appears to be most prevalent in the northeast, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. According to data from the 2020 United States Census, it is the 12,336th most common surname in the country, and is found in relatively low numbers across the rest of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska.
The name Witherbee is derived from an Old English word which means “to wither” or “fade”. It also is likely related to the medieval English name Witherby. The last name was first found in Norfolk, England where the Witherbee family once held a family seat. The family can be traced back to Richard Witterbie who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Norfolk in 1327.
The earliest Witherbee in the United States was Francis Witherbee, a Quaker born in London in 1647. He immigrated to America in 1654 and served as the minister of a Quaker Meeting House in Hempstead, New York. Many Witherbees have lived in the surrounding areas in New York and New Jersey ever since. The name has also grown in popularity in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
Today, descendants of Francis Witherbee can be found throughout the United States, particularly in the northeast. It is a widely recognizable name, and there are numerous businesses, organizations, and institutions in the United States that bear the Witherbee name.
Variations of the surname Witherbee
The surname Witherbee is an English surname derived from the Old English place name Wiþerbe and is believed to mean ‘the village of the barker’. Variations and spellings of the surname Witherbee are Widerbee, Witherby, Witherby, Witherby, Wytherby, Witherbee, Witherby, Widerby, Widderbee, Widerbe, Widerbie, Wyderbee, Widderby and Witherbie.
Variants of the surname with a different origin but the same phonetic spelling are Wiederkehr, Vetter and Vetterle. Wiederkehr is a German surname that originally referred to ‘one who returns’, whereas Vetter and Vetterle are also German surnames that refer to a kinsman or relative.
Some related surnames with a similar spelling include Wetherell, Wetherill and Wetherel. Wetherell is an English surname derived from Old English words meaning ‘weathered hill’, while Wetherill and Wetherel are an English and Huguenot name respectively derived from similar Old English words.
The variant spellings of Witherbee are interesting and reveal the surname’s regional and cultural origins. Spellings are often derived from local dialects and alterations in spelling serve to emphasize local accents and pronunciation. This allows each variant to be identified with a particular part of the world.
Famous people with the name Witherbee
- Mary Witherbee: Mary Witherbee is a visual artist and photographer from Montana. She works in a variety of mediums such as oil, acrylic, photography, and multimedia collage.
- Kelly Witherbee: Kelly Witherbee is a fashion designer from New York City. She designs ladylike clothing with a focus on custom pieces. Her designs have been featured in magazines and television shows.
- Jeff Witherbee: Jeff Witherbee is an American TV producer and director. He has directed numerous shows for NBC and ABC including Law & Order, Everwood, Scrubs, and Private Practice.
- John Witherbee: John Witherbee is a retired NHL hockey player. He played from 1974-79 for the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota North Stars.
- Osborn Witherbee: Osborn Witherbee is an American author and professor. He is an expert in socio-cultural studies and philosophy. He wrote several books including The Meaning of Money and Human Debates: Politics, Gender, and Society.
- Charlotte Witherbee: Charlotte Witherbee is a renowned equestrian show jumper and horse trainer. She has competed in International Jumping competitions around the world and in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.