Surname Wetterly - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wetterly: What does the surname Wetterly mean?
The last name Wetterly is believed to have originated from the ancient Scottish county of Wigtownshire in the southwest corner of Scotland. It is thought to be derived from the English-Scots (Anglo-Scots) word 'Witterlie'. The suffix 'ley' is typically an indication of a settlement that lies close to a body of water.
The earliest known recording of the Wetterly surname dates back to 1204 when Willelmus Witterly was listed in the 'Book of the Deer', the oldest surviving manuscript of Scottish Gaelic. The book is a unique source of information on the origin and development of the Gaelic language in medieval Scotland and preserves relics of the North British language.
The Wetterly surname is likely to have come from a descriptive job title, such as a woodcutter, water carrier or dambuilder (deriving from the old Anglo-Saxon word 'wetere' meaning water or wetness). Alternatively, it could have come from a place name, such as a brook, stream, river, or even a damp meadow.
Over time, the Wetterlys spread throughout the British Isles and beyond. Today the Wetterlys are found throughout Europe, the United States, Canada and some areas of the Caribbean.
The Wetterly name is still found in its original homeland in Scotland, where the family remains a respected presence. The name is also a reminder of the impact of the wanderings of the Wetterlys on the history of the family and the various countries that have opened their doors to them.
Order DNA origin analysisWetterly: Where does the name Wetterly come from?
The last name Wetterly is most commonly found in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, the surname Wetterly was most popular in the states of Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
In 2018, the city of Milwaukee had the highest concentration of Wetterly surnames in the country. Approximately 90 households in the city were registered under the Wetterly name. Atlanta, Georgia had the second highest concentration, with approximately 20 households registered.
The origin of the Wetterly surname is not readily known. It’s possible that the name could be linked to ancestral roots from England, Germany, or Sweden. It’s also possible that the name could have simply been altered by immigration officers at Ellis Island.
The Wetterly surname may be linked to a host of places around the world, including ones in Austria, France, Portugal, and Canada. It’s also possible that the Wetterly surname could have been adopted by those of German descent who moved to the United States in the 1700s and 1800s.
The Wetterly surname continues to be seen in the United States today, although its global reach is relatively limited. It’s also important to note that a number of variations of the Wetterly surname exist, such as Wetterley and Wettley.
Variations of the surname Wetterly
Wetterly is an uncommon English surname and could be spelt Wetterley, Wetterlee, Weterly, Weterley, Wedderly, and Wedderley as alternate variants. All of these surnames and spellings are generally considered to be of the same origin.
There are various theories as to where the Wetterly surname may have come from. Some speculate that it is derived from Old English words 'weder', meaning rain or weather, and 'leah', meaning wood or clearing or field. This suggests that the Wetterlys could be descendants of someone who originally lived in a place associated with rain or weather.
Another possible origin of the Wetterly surname is from words derived form the and Old German 'wetter', meaning battle or army, and 'ly' or 'ley' meaning place. This suggests that the Wetterlys could be descendants of someone who was in the military or otherwise associated with the army.
The surname Wetterly could also be derived from Old Norse sources. It is possible that it is derived from the Old Norse word 'viðar', meaning wood, and 'laug', meaning hill. This could suggest that the Wetterlys were originally from a place associated with woods and hills.
In some cases, the Wetterlys could also be of ancient Norman French origin, derived from the words 'wet', meaning wet or damp, and 'lai', meaning pasture or meadow. This suggests the Wetterlys were originally from a place associated with dampness and pastures.
The above origins all provide possible theories for where the Wetterly surname originated, but as it is not a particularly popular name, it can be difficult to trace its exact origin.
Famous people with the name Wetterly
- Max Wetterly: Famous actor known for his work in the web series "The Prof" and the films "Severance" and "Backless".
- Adam Wetterly: Racing driver from Colorado who competed in the Indy Lights series between 2008 and 2009.
- Sally Wetterly: Prolific TV actress who has appeared in shows like "EastEnders", "Silent Witness", "The Bill" and "Casualty".
- James Wetterly: Olympic athlete who competed in the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres event.
- Jesse Wetterly: Author of two novels; "Secrets of the Guild" and "The Last Disciples".
- John Wetterly: Great Britain's former ambassador to India, who was the first western diplomat to visit then-burgeoning city of Mumbai in the late 70s.
- Tom Wetterly: Influential jazz musician and member of the New Orleans All Star Orchestra who also performed on the 1999 album "Southbound".
- Amber Wetterly: American painter and illustrator who has exhibited work in both the US and Europe.
- Nancy Wetterly: Award-winning character actress, most notable for her roles in films such as "The Departed" and "Anna and the King".
- Ian Wetterly: French fashion designer and former Creative Director of Maison Margiela, who has overseen popular re-issues of iconic designs from the Maison.