Weatherby (surname)

Weatherby is a surname of English origin. It is a habitational name derived from a place in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, named Weatherby, composed of the Old English elements "wether" (sheep) and "by" (farmstead, settlement). Thus, the name signifies a "sheep farm" or "sheep settlement."

The surname Weatherby has variations in spelling, including Wetherby and Whetherby.

Early records of the surname can be found in Yorkshire and surrounding counties.

People with the surname Weatherby have been found in various professions and walks of life throughout history, and in different countries, particularly in English-speaking nations like the United States, Canada, and Australia, reflecting migration patterns from the British Isles.

The name is also associated with Weatherby, Inc., a prominent American firearms manufacturer known for its high-powered rifles and ammunition. While the company's founder, Roy Weatherby, may have popularized the name, the surname's origins predate the company's establishment.