Surname Wearly - Meaning and Origin
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Wearly: What does the surname Wearly mean?
The last name Wearly is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "weardely". During the days of the Saxons, in England, it referred to a topographic feature like a ridge or hill. The literal meaning of the word is a “lookout point” or “watch-point”. It was also often used to refer to “a bailiff or overseer” who was responsible for observing a property or some other form of duty.
Over the centuries, Wearly has evolved into a surname, and it is believed to be most common in the North and West of England. It is thought to be most associated with the counties of Northumberland, Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.
The etymology of the name has remained mostly intact and is quite unique because it reflects an English “place-name” rather than an occupational name or surname derived ultimately from a person's given name.
Because the Wearly surname is so closely associated with the English county of Northumberland, many descendants believe that their last name has something to do with the region. It is safe to assume that the Wearly family originated in Northumberland and has been rooted there for centuries.
The name Wearly provides us with a link to our past and a glimpse into some of our oldest family histories. It also serves as a reminder of the rich history of the North of England and its connection to the evolution of the English language.
Order DNA origin analysisWearly: Where does the name Wearly come from?
The last name Wearly is a relatively uncommon name in the United States today, although it seems as though it is most commonly found in the states of Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The earliest recorded instance of the last name appears in a census from 1840 in Clark County, Kentucky, showing a family with the name Wearly. It is not known where the family with the name originated, or how long they had been living in the United States.
The 1880 US census shows that the last name had spread to a few other states outside of the original cluster in the south, such as New York and West Virginia, and that is still the case today.
One of the most well-known people to have the name Wearly is Major Roger Wearly Weems, who served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was awarded several medals and honors for his service.
In 2019, the United States Census Bureau’s population estimates showed that there were a total of 95 people in the United States with the name Wearly, with the largest group in Tennessee with 38 people.
Although uncommon today, the last name Wearly remains present in the United States, and the name continues to be associated with strength, bravery, and service to the nation.
Variations of the surname Wearly
The surname Wearly has various variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Wearly is a Patronymic surname, which means it was essentially passed down from father to son and is based on an ancestor’s given name. The variants of Wearly can range from Wearly and Wirly, to Weirley and Wyrley. The spellings of Wearly can also include Warley, Warly, Waurly, Weerly, Werley, and Wurly.
The surnames that share the same origin as Wearly include Vearly, Dellaire, Dell, Dellaire, Dellairey, Delaire, Delaure, and Delaur. While the spellings may vary, these surnames all eventually derive from an original Wearly spelling.
Wearly is also related to the surnames Wear, Wearn, Worral, Worrell, Worrill, and Worrall. These surnames come from the Old English meaning of ‘the dweller near the weir’, which is a location on a large river with a dam-like structure.
Other Wearly-related surnames that share this origin are Weare, Wearne, Waer, Warren, Warne, Wharren, Wearings, and Wharfing. There are even some surnames, like Weakley, Weakly, and Welsh, which can trace their lineage back to an original Wearly ancestor.
All of these variants, spellings, and surnames suggest a long and rich history behind the Wearly name. Even though the spelling of the surname may have changed over time, the original Wearly roots remain.
Famous people with the name Wearly
- Bill Wearly: American baseball outfielder from the late 19th/early 20th century.
- Abigail Wearly: former Miss Washington Teen USA and actress.
- William probably Wearly: aka rapper "Will Pwr"
- Henrietta Wearly: former United States Representative from Ohio
- Martha (Marty) Wearly: two-time Olympic gold medalist in the sport of swimming
- John Wearly: 17th century politician from the Virginia House of Burgess
- Ben Wearly: professional golfer
- Joe Wearly: Science educator and professional scientist
- Andrew Wearly: Grammy nominated musician
- Larry Wearly: NFL player and Hall of Famer
- Al Wearly: Jazz musician and former band leader of the classic group, The Jazzbees