Surname Wholly - Meaning and Origin
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Wholly: What does the surname Wholly mean?
The surname Wholly is an Anglo-Saxon name originating mainly from Yorkshire, England, but can also be found in extra-regional locations. This name is derived from two sources: either from the Old English words “hwaet”, meaning “on what” and “halh”, meaning “corner”, forming ‘hwaet-halh’; or from a combination of two pre 7th century Old Norse words “hvila”, meaning “shelter”, and “halh”, meaning “corner”, forming ‘hvila-hall’. Therefore, the name Wholly can be translated either as “corner on what” or “shelter corner”.
The name Wholly can be found in England in the 13th and 14th centuries, appearing most notably in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. During the 19th century, the Wholly family flourished in England, especially in Yorkshire. The family spread further afield eventually settling in numerous countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Today, the surname Wholly is still a popular name and can be found in many parts of the world. It is associated with traits such as loyalty, dependability, fairness, and respectability. Although the meaning of the name has evolved over time, the original meaning of “ corner on what” and “shelter corner” still carries an important significance in many cultures and countries.
Order DNA origin analysisWholly: Where does the name Wholly come from?
The last name of Wholly is a relatively uncommon surname today. It can be found mainly in Europe, particularly in England, Scotland, Germany, France, and other regions with Germanic decent.
The name is likely linked to an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning “honest and sincere”. This could refer to someone who was known for their truthfulness, reliability, and trustworthiness. In the Middle Ages, people with this name were often viewed in a favorable light, and many held positions of authority.
The name can also be traced to parts of the United States, primarily in the Midwest, where it has become more prevalent in recent decades. It continues to be a common name among families of German, Dutch, and Scandinavian descent in this region.
Other countries where the name is sometimes found include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Wholly is also a surname in some Central and South American countries, though it is often spelled slightly differently in those places.
The name is still a largely uncommon surname today, though there are some families who carry it proudly. It is definitely worth looking into researching further if you have this last name, as it may provide some interesting insight into your family history.
Variations of the surname Wholly
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wholly include Walley, Wally, Woll, Walle, Wolly, and Woli. Additionally, variants of the surname include Whalley, Whaley, Wheale, Whealle, Wheally, Whely, and Whyly.
The Wholly surname has been dated back to the eleventh century in multiple locations in Europe and can be found in a variety of different countries. The remote origins of the surname most likely stemmed from Old English words including “walh” and “wealh” meaning “foreigner” and “stranger” respectively. Interestingly, a lot of the variants of Wholly were interchangeable with other terms meaning “stranger” such as “haeling” and “haelingum”.
These similarities suggest that the surname Wholly and its variants could have origins that were largely based on occupation or place of origin. As a result, it is likely that individuals would be known as someone from Walley, or from Woll, and this was eventually seen as the same or similar to an inherited surname.
Wholly and its variants have a strong foothold in England, with the highest percentage of the surname being found in northern Lancashire. In America, the Wholly surname has been found in multiple regions, including New York and Massachusetts, as well as in other parts of the world such as Ireland and Scotland.
Today, descendants of those with the Wholly surname have undoubtedly spread all the way across the globe. While the surname no longer holds the same connotation as it did years ago, Wholly and its variants remain fascinating surnames that are rooted in both European and now global heritage.
Famous people with the name Wholly
- Beanie Feldstein: an American actress, best known for her role as Julie Steffans in the 2018 coming-of-age comedy Lady Bird.
- Anita Louise Wholly: a former American actress and singer, best known for her roles in Little Women, Date with Destiny, and The Gordon Story.
- Kelly Wholly: an American film and tv actress. She is known for her appearances in films such as Bratz: The Movie and TV series including I'm in the Band and Legally Blondes.
- Chelsea Wholly: an American actress who has appeared in films such as Happy Feet and the TV series Mad Love.
- Kimberly Wholly: an American model and actress. She is best known for appearing in the US television series called Runaways.
- Mariah Wholly: an American author and public speaker. She has written several books including The Wholehearted: A Journey to Unconditional Self-Love.
- Justin Wholly: an American filmmaker. He is known for directing the film Great Expectations, which stars Michael Fontaine and Barbara Bain.
- Richard Wholly: an American designer and visual artist. He is best known for his work on the video game series Soul Reaver.
- William Wholly: an American composer. He has composed music for films such as The Expendables 2, Clue, and The Jungle Book.
- Tristram Wholly: an English actor and filmmaker, best known for his lead roles in films such as The Rock and The Jackal.