Surname Wigley - Meaning and Origin

Wigley: What does the surname Wigley mean?

The last name Wigley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Old English words wic and leah, meaning "dwelling near a settlement". Historically, it has been an occupational surname, denoting someone who lived or worked in a wic, or small village.

The Wigleys were found throughout England during the Middle Ages, primarily within the Midlands region of England. Today, the Wigley surname is still relatively common, especially in England. Other countries, however, may have different variations of spelling and pronunciation of this surname.

The Wigleys have been credited with a variety of notable accomplishments throughout history. In the 16th century, the first of the Wigley family to arrive in America was William Wigley, who was part of the first wave of settlers in the Jamestown Colony. During the civil war, Private Adam Wigley of Illinois was a soldier on the Union side. He was wounded in battle, and posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courage and heroism.

The Wigley family is known for its strong sense of loyalty and patriotism. This can be seen in their spirited support for local sporting events, and their active participation in their community. The Wigleys are also known for their generosity and strong work ethic, and these values have help them be successful and respected over the centuries.

Wigley: Where does the name Wigley come from?

The last name Wigley is most common in the English-speaking world, primarily in Great Britain and the United States. In Great Britain, the surname is most commonly found throughout England, with the highest concentration in Staffordshire, and in Wales, where the highest concentration is in Pembrokeshire.

In the United States, the surname may have originated with English emigrants, as the name is generally not found outside of the eastern states. It is most commonly found in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

There are smaller concentrations of Wigley families in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Most of these families can be linked to British settlement of the colonial era.

Today, there are believed to be several thousand Wigleys spread throughout the world's English-speaking nations. With the widespread migration of people in recent times, it is likely that the name is now present in many more countries than those cited here.

Variations of the surname Wigley

The surname Wigley has several variants, spellings, and surnames that are all derived from the same original source. These include Wigly, Wiggle, Weegly, and Wiglee.

Wigley is a locational surname, derived from either of two place names in different parts of England. The first is a parish found in Shropshire, which is thought to have derived its name from the Old English “wigel” meaning “willow”. The second is a hamlet found in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and it is derived from the Old Norse “vík” meaning “bay”.

The surname is also popularly anglicized in various spelling variations and alternate surnames. Examples of these variants include Wigly, Wiggle, Weegly, Wiglee, Wigles, Wigs, Wygle, Wygley, Wygles, Wygley, Wyglee, and Wygles.

Today, the surname Wigley is found in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other parts of the English-speaking world. Famous people with the surname Wigley include British athlete Carol Wigley, professional footballer Adam Wigley, academic author Willard Wigley, and Loyalist politician Thomas Wigley.

Famous people with the name Wigley

• Ruby Wigley: Australian-born New Zealand actress and singer, who has performed in shows such as Flight of the Conchords and more.
• Thomas Wigley: British diplomat and selector for the Football Association.
• Matt Wigley: English badminton player and former Olympian.
• Darryl Wigley: British visual artist and poet.
• Neville Wigley: Welsh cricketer and footballer.
• Liv Wigley: British actress best known for her roles in two America-produced television series.
• Janet Wigley: Actor, known for her roles in the films Special Delivery (1976) and The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976).
• Joanne Wigley: British stuntwoman and stunt coordinator, best known for her work on the television series EastEnders and Hollyoaks.
• Ed Wigley: Former CEO of the British Royal Air Force and Board Member of the BBC.
• David Wigley: Former President and Chair of the British Medical Association.

Other surnames

Wigleb