Way Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Way Name Meaning: This is a topographic name for somebody who lived near a road or path. Old english 'Weg'. Perhaps habitational from a minor place named with this word i.e Waye in Devon.

This English surname could be given to someone who resided near a road or path,or someone who belonged to a place named Way or Waye.

Discover how your Way ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Way Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Way family

Profession Census Frequency
School 375
Private Means 70
General Labourer 31
Dressmaker 30
None 30
Farm Labourer 26
Labourer 25
General Servant (domestic) 21
Farmer 16
Dress Maker 16
Clerk 15
Coal Miner Hewer 15
Shop Assistant 14
Laundress 13
Carpenter 13
Butcher 12
Cook (domestic) 12
Domestic Servant 12
House Keeper 12
Housemaid (domestic) 12
Domestic 11
At School 11
Housekeeper 11
Dock Labourer 10
Nil 10

Way Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Way 100% 25,241
2 Wye 33% 2,885
3 Weigh 20% 1,068
4 Wey 67% 808
5 Waye 75% 741
6 Waigh 40% 272
7 Whay 75% 163
8 Away 75% 136
9 Weay 75% 126

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The surname Way is the most popular version of all its varients

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