Welfare

Welfare
Recorded in the spellings of Welfare and Welfair, this unusual surname is English. It is believed to be of pre 7th century Anglo-Saxon origin, and is an interesting example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were originally given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, habits of dress and behaviour, and to the habitual use of certain expressions. The derivation, in this instance, is from the words "wel" and "faran", which translate in a variety of ways. Firstly, the expression may have been used to denote someone who had travelled widely, "fare" being an archaic word for "travel" at a time when few did; secondly it may have indicated one who was successful in a particular undertaking, as in expression "he fared well"; and finally, it may have been given as a "phrase-name" to someone who wished others farewell, literally, a good journey. Other such phrase-names include: Goodday, Goodyear and Farewell. In his 1840 book "Patronymica Britannica", M.A. Lower states that the name derives from a personal name "Wulfer" found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a compound of the elements "wulf", wolf, and "heri", an army. However our much later research, is we believe more accurate. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Simon Welfare, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Norfolk". This was during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Over the centuries surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • welfare — welfare, sociology of welfare Welfare is the state or condition of doing or being well. The term is primarily invoked when some action is considered necessary in order to enhance individual or group welfare that is when welfare is in some way in… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • Welfare — may refer to:* Well being, quality of lifestyle ** Animal welfare, the quality of life of animals, and concerns thereabout * Welfare , a film directed by Frederick WisemanIn economics:* Social welfare provision, government programs that seek to… …   Wikipedia

  • welfare — wel‧fare [ˈwelfeə ǁ fer] noun [uncountable] ECONOMICS 1. help that is given by government to people with social or financial problems: • a drastic reform of the welfare system 2. money paid by the government to people who are poor, unemployed etc …   Financial and business terms

  • welfare — I noun advantage, affluence, benefit, commodis consulere, fortune, good, haleness, happiness, health, hominis, interest, luck, prosperity, prosperousness, soundness, success, weal, well being associated concepts: public welfare II index …   Law dictionary

  • welfare — /ˈwɛlfer, ingl. ˈwɛlˌfɛə(r)/ [vc. ingl., accorc. di welfare state, propr. «stato (state) del benessere (welfare)»] s. m. inv. (econ.) stato sociale FRASEOLOGIA Ministero per il Welfare (giorn.), Ministero per il Lavoro e le politiche sociali …   Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione

  • Welfare — Wel fare , n. [Well + fare to go, to proceed, to happen.] Well doing or well being in any respect; the enjoyment of health and the common blessings of life; exemption from any evil or calamity; prosperity; happiness. [1913 Webster] How to study… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • welfare — [wel′fer΄] n. [ME < wel faren, to fare well: see WELL2 & FARE] 1. the state of being or doing well; condition of health, happiness, and comfort; well being; prosperity 2. a) the organized efforts of government agencies that grant aid to the… …   English World dictionary

  • welfare — [wɛlfɛʀ] n. m. ÉTYM. 1972, in l Express; mot anglais. ❖ ♦ Aux États Unis, Politique d action sociale; administration qui en est chargée. || « Le fonctionnement des grandes bureaucraties fédérales, notamment le welfare » (le Nouvel Obs., 1er janv …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • welfare — O.E. wel faran condition of being or doing well, from wel (see WELL (Cf. well) (adv.)) + faran get along (see FARE (Cf. fare) (v.)). Cf. O.N. velferð. Meaning social concern for the well being of children, the unemployed, etc. is first attested… …   Etymology dictionary

  • welfare — / well being [n] health and prosperity abundance, advantage, benefit, contentment, ease, easy street*, euphoria, felicity, good, good fortune, happiness, interest, luck, profit, progress, satisfaction, success, thriving; concepts 316,693,706 …   New thesaurus

  • welfare — ► NOUN 1) the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group. 2) action or procedure designed to promote the basic physical and material well being of people in need. 3) chiefly N. Amer. financial support given for this purpose. ORIGIN from …   English terms dictionary

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