Origin of the Webster Family Name

Before 1350, surnames in Europe were used almost exclusively by aristocrats, but by about 1450 at the latest, most people of whatever social rank had a fixed, heriditory surname. Most surnames were acquired from one of four general sources -- occupation, location, patronymic, or personal characteristic.

The English surname Webster is occupational in origin, being one of those names derived from the trade or profession of the original bearer. The name finds its source in the Old English word "webbestre", meaning "female weaver", although it was usually used for a man. Not all Websters are related, as this name was adopted independently by many such weavers during the course of the 14th century, especially in Lancashire, Yorkshire and the English Midlands.

The earliest recorded use of the name appears to be one William le Webbester listed in the Lancashire Assize Rolls in 1284. A century later there is a reference to one Robertus Webster in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379, the name having by then already arrived at its modern spelling. Other notable Websters include Noah Webster (1758-1843), singlehandedly responsible for the abortion which is modern American spelling; and Daniel Webster (1782-1852), three times unsuccessful American presidential candidate. We have no idea if we are related to any of these distinguished gentlemen.

The earliest certain reference for our direct line is John Webster, who was born around 1650 in Edinburgh, Scotland. We can speculate that his ancestors likely came from Northern England, just a few miles to the south.