What's in a name? - Weasleys

[elfundeb]

No: HPFGUIDX 36368

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "ohtoresonate" <ohtoresonate at y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Though most people in this fandom and in HP fan fiction (like 
Malfoy 
> in canon) conclude that the Weasleys' last name somehow connect 
them 
> to weasels, I find little to no evidence to support this 
assumption.  
> 
> 
> In fact, if you look at the structure of English names, you will 
find 
> that names ending in -ley or -ly usually indicate an association 
with 
> fields.  For example, "Stan-ley" means stony field and "Wes-ley" 
means 
> field of the west.  So going by this pattern, Weas-ley should mean 
> fields of
weas?  
> 
> Hmm
seeing how Quidditch evolved (IMO, rather arbitrarily) from 
Queer 
> Ditch and Snitch from Snidge (and incidentally, "blimey" 
from "blind 
> me"), I can't even begin to hazard a guess as to what the original 
> word for "weas" could possibly be.
> 
> Anyone?
> 
> :) OTR

Well, actually, I think you've got the best answer already -- Weasley 
may simply be a variation of Wesley, i.e., west field. Why do I think 
this?  There is a Charlie Wesley (whom I have never met) on a group 
circulation list at my office, and every time I see it I misread it 
as Charlie Weasley.  Besides, Ottery St. Catchpole is in the west of 
England (west of Surrey, anyway).  

I also like the connotation that the name is an old English commoner 
family name, as the Weasleys are an old, but not aristocratic 
wizarding family.  There certainly doesn't appear to be 
anything "weaselly" about them.  Quite the contrary.  I think the 
Weasleys are among the most straightforward characters in HP, and 
quite comfortable in their own commoner shoes.  (Now, is there an 
English town called "Weasley"?)

Debbie, waiting for someone to prove her wrong by posting the 
sinister Weasley backstory (no, I don't think Molly's sandwich crimes 
will do)