Surname Wasley - Meaning and Origin

Wasley: What does the surname Wasley mean?

The last name Wasley is a locational surname, derived from a place now known as Walsley in Lancashire, England. The name is derived from the Old English 'waels' meaning "spring water". Records from Walsley can be traced back to the 12th century, when Walsilei was listed in the 1167 Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire.

The name Wasley is thought to be an alteration of Walsley, the Anglo-Saxon formation of the name meaning "the spring meadow". The name is commonly found in the northern parts of the UK, with many variants including Wasley, Walsley and even Worsley.

The surname Wasley was likely taken up by those who had moved away from their birthplace in Walsley and needed a new way to distinguish themselves from other families. During the 16th and 17th centuries, as more people emigrated from England to the United States in search of better lives, the Wasley surname was often found in immigrant records.

The Wasleys of today are a diverse and widespread group, with families now living all around the world. Among the Wasleys can be found farmers, scientists, artists and even royalty. The Wasley name is recognized as being an independent, determined and innovative surname. It is also seen as reflecting strength of character and positivity.

Wasley: Where does the name Wasley come from?

The last name Wasley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, where it has been recorded since at least the mid-19th century. It is primarily found in counties such as Norfolk, London, Middlesex, Surrey, and Lancashire. Records show that the surname is derived from two Old English words, "waesl" meaning dweller, and "leah" meaning wood or clearing - making it likely to have been applied to a family who lived near a clearing or woods.

In recent decades, the Wasley name has spread to other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. In the US, Wasley is particularly common in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. Today, Wasley is considered a rare surname, but one that is associated with growing numbers of individuals in many countries.

Outside of the UK, Wasley families frequently appear to have had strong cultural ties to certain professions and trades. For example, records show that Wasley immigrants to Australia commonly established themselves as farmers and fishermen, while those who emigrated to New Zealand often found work in the wool industry. Similarly, Wasley individuals who immigrated to the US during the 19th century often gained employment in the cotton or steel industries.

Variations of the surname Wasley

The surname Wasley has many variants and spellings. This includes: Wacely, Wacley, Waslea, Wasely, Waselye, Waslee, Wasleigh, Wasleye, Weaselly, Weasley, Weesly, Wesle, Weslee, Wesley, Wicleay, Wiclie, Wisleigh, Wislely, Wycely, Wycly, Wysely, and Wyselye.

The variants and spelling variations of Wasley indicate that the surname was originally derived from an Old English personal name. It is possible that these variations originated from Waslèah, a Medieval English name composed of the elements "wæs", meaning "was" and "leah", which means a "meadow or woodland clearing".

The following surnames have been suggested as possible variants of Wasley: Wace, Wacey, Wack, Wackley, Wage, Wagg, Wagley, Wagstaff, Wake, Wakeham, Wakely, Wakenshaw, Wall, Wallace, Waller, Walles, Wallis, Wallys, Walpole, Walshe, Walshele, Walters, Wapshall, War, Warburton, Warr, Warrillow, Wason, Waters, Watkins, Watson, Wattson, Waugh, Way, Weale, Wearshore, Webber, Websters, Welch, Wells, Wessel, West, Weston, Weyle, Weyman, Whalley, Wharton, Wheatley, Wheaton, Wheelhouse, Wheeldon, Wheeler, Whewell, Whild, Whishaw, Whitaker, White, Whitehead, Whitehouse, Whitfield, Whitlow, Whitney, Whyte, Wickham, Wigley, Wilkes, Wilkins, Willet, Williams, Williamson, Willis, Willmott, Willoughby, Wills, Wilmot, Wilshire, Wilson, Wimble, Winder, Windsor, Winrow, Winter, Winwood, Wiseman, Wittingham, Wixey, Wotherspoon, Wraith, Wright, Wyld, Wyle.

Given the great number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, many individuals with the surname Wasley may be descended from the same ancestral line. It is likely that the surname Wasley was most common in areas of England where its progenitor is found.

Famous people with the name Wasley

• Allen Washley: former actor from the 60s and 70s in films including Mommy Dearest
• Andy Wasley: media editor and presenter for BBC Radio
• Charles Wasley: violinist, vocalist, and arranger of Broadway musicals
• Elizabeth Wasley: former Actress who starred in films such as The Cincinnati Kid and Lilies of the Field
• Harry Wasley: British actor on ITV's Benidorm
• Jamie Wasley: American reality TV star and bodybuilder
• Nikki Wasley: Australian actress known for roles in Home and Away and All Saints
• Rebecca Wasley: American entrepreneur and life coach
• Sylvia Wasley: Australian actress who won an Academy Award for best actress in 1983 for Goodbye Girl
• Tad Wasley: American artist known for his abstract paintings of landscapes

Other surnames

Wasle