Surname Wheatly - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wheatly: What does the surname Wheatly mean?
The surname Wheatly can denote that its bearer was someone from one of England's wheat fields, which is believed to be the origin of the surname. Derived from the Old English word wheat, the term essentially means a field of wheat.
The Wheatly name first appeared in early records in the southern county of Somerset, England. Records first began appearing between the 12th and 13th centuries, with William de Wheteleia being mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1185. An early bearer of the name was Henry Wheatly who lived in Somerset in 1327, while Johannes Whitesley and Johanna Wheteley were mentioned in Yorkshire in the year 1590.
Wheatly is usually a geographical or locational surname, denoting someone who lived in, or near, a wheat field. It can also be a patronymic or occupational surname, meaning that the bearer is or was descended from a person who held, or worked with, wheat. As such, origin of the name can differ, but it always has some connection to the grain itself, and the wheat fields where it would first have been grown.
Since its inception, the Wheatly surname has spread to all corners of the world, through the descendants of settlers leaving from Europe who took the name with them, as well as those arriving from other countries having adopted the name.
Today, the name is still quite common in England and Scotland, although can be found in many other countries, too. It carries with it a rich history of production and the growth of much needed grain for both sustenance and industry.
Order DNA origin analysisWheatly: Where does the name Wheatly come from?
The surname Wheatly is today most often associated with England and Scotland. It is especially prevalent in the Midlands and Northwest regions of England. In Scotland, it is particularly common in Aberdeenshire and Angus.
The Wheatly surname likely derives from the Old English word “hwitel”, meaning white. As such, it was likely originally a nickname or descriptive name for someone with light hair or a fair complexion. It may also have been a topographic name describing someone who lived near a field of white flowers or some other feature associated with whiteness.
The earliest records of the Wheatly surname date back to the 13th century, in the counties of Yorkshire and Warwickshire. During the 14th and 15th centuries, many of those with the surname moved to the Borders, the West Midlands, and the northeast of Scotland. By this time, the name had become more firmly established and several families bearing the name were recorded in these areas.
In the 18th and 19th century, Wheatlys left their home countries to settle in other regions around the world. Today, there are Wheatlys to be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. Generally speaking, however, the name remains most popular in its homeland of England and Scotland.
Variations of the surname Wheatly
The Wheatly surname can be variated in a variety of ways, with a few common variants including Wheatley, Wheatleigh, Wheately, and Wheetley found.
Wheatley is one of the more common variations of the Wheatly surname. This name is sometimes spelled Wheat ley, and may derive from a topographical or local name, as in “dweller at the wheat lea” or glade.
Wheatleigh is another variant of the Wheatly surname. This variant often derives from a family or place-name stemming from a minor settlement in Gloucestershire, England. This spelling is often rendered with a double 't' (Wheattleigh).
Wheately is a variation of the Wheatly surname that was first found in Warwickshire, England. This version of the surname may be derived from a topographical name, occupational name, or a habitational name.
Wheetley is also an oft-used variant of the Wheatly surname. This spelling denotes one who lives in or near a wheat-growing region, with the name derived from the Old English words “hwæt” and “leah,” meaning wheat meadow or glade.
Across Europe, the Wheatly surname also exists with a variety of other spellings that are phonetically similar, such as Wetley, Whitley, Whiteley, Wheatleye, or Wheeley. These spellings may have originated from any of the other variations of the surname.
Alternative surnames of the same origin, like Chitling and Chitlington, can also be found. Chitling is an old English version of Wheatly, stemming from an ancient Anglo-Saxon word “Chit,” meaning wheat. Chitlington is a habitational name that stems from a place in Hertfordshire, England, which was recorded as Chitellingtune in 1185, during the reign of King Henry 11.
The Wheatly surname has an extensive variety of spellings and derivations that can be found in different parts of the world. Different spellings of the Wheatly surname indicate the many different branches of the same family origins, as well as locations of origin.
Famous people with the name Wheatly
- Phyllis Wheatley (poet in the late 1700s)
- Asha Wheatley (musician and television producer)
- Wesley Wheatley (American YouTuber, software engineer, and entrepreneur)
- Tim Wheatley (English actor and writer)
- Jim Wheatley (Canadian singer and songwriter)
- Joshua Wheatley (English journalist and author)
- Susan Wheatley (American politician)
- Gary Wheatley (former American football linebacker)
- Bobby Wheatley (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Ty Wheatley (professional American football player)
- David Wheatley (Australian musician and composer)
- Stewart Wheatley (British entrepreneur and philanthropist)
- John Wheatley (Scottish socialist politician)
- Ron Wheatley (former American football offensive lineman)
- Alfred Wheatley (English rower)
- Amy Wheatley (British researcher, human rights activist, and educator)
- Charles Wheatley (English actor and physical theater performer)
- LenWheatley (Australian jockey)
- Curtis Wheatley (Canadian actor and writer)
- Peter Wheatley (English actor and theatre director)