Webbe

Webbe is an English surname, an archaic variant of Webb. It originated as an occupational name for a weaver, derived from the Middle English wever or webber and, in turn, from the Old English webba, meaning “weaver.” The spelling with an ending -e is characteristic of earlier record-keeping and may reflect scribal conventions rather than a distinct branch of the family.

Historically, Webbe appears in parish registers and legal documents from the late medieval period into the early modern era. As with many occupational names, bearers of the surname often did not have a fixed spelling, so Webbe, Webb, and related forms were used interchangeably in different records.

In the modern era, the surname Webbe remains relatively uncommon but persists in the United Kingdom and in countries with historical English migration, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The form Webb is far more common today, while Webbe survives as a conservative variant, sometimes retained by families to preserve lineage.

Variants and related forms include Webb and Web. In some cases, Webbe may be conflated with other surnames of similar root, but it is generally recognized as a distinct spelling of the same occupational origin.

Notable bearers of the name have appeared in English history and literature, reflecting its long-standing presence in the population. See also Webb, which is the more common form of the name.