Surname Woodley - Meaning and Origin

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B. Woodley

Woodley: What does the surname Woodley mean?

The last name Woodley is of English and Scottish origin. It is derived from a combination of two Old English words - 'wudu' and 'leah' - meaning 'wood clearing' or 'wood clearing meadow'. Historically, the Woodley surname has been found in both England and Scotland, as well as in areas that contain populations of ethnic Scottish ancestry, such as parts of Canada and the United States.

The Woodley surname is found among families associated with the upper English social classes, including those descended from Anglo-Norman nobility. As such, the surname could be a sign of a line of noted ancestry. It could also be indicative of those who held higher social status, potentially to do with service to crown or the church.

In modern times, the surname Woodley is still largely found in areas with a predominant British or Scottish background. It can also be seen among those with English ancestry in other parts of the world. Popular people and characters associated with the Woodley surname include Emma Woodley, professional ice hockey player; Taylor Woodley, actor; and Marie Woodley, character from the film The Lodgers.

The Woodley surname is a connection to a long and complex past. It is a reminder of a family’s heritage and a history that stretches both geographically and temporally. It is a link to an ancestry that is rich in history, culture, and social standing.

Woodley: Where does the name Woodley come from?

The last name Woodley is most commonly found in the United States. However, this surname can also be found in other areas, including Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

In the U.S., the last name Woodley is more widespread in the northern, or "hill-and-valley" region of the country. More specifically, this surname is most commonly found in the Appalachian region. This is likely due to the fact that a considerable number of early European settlers in this region were of British or Irish origin, and thus bore the Woodley name.

To a lesser extent, the Woodley last name can also be found in other parts of the U.S., including the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the Great Plains, and the South.

In terms of international distribution, the Woodley surname can be found in Canada, most notably in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. Within Great Britain, the surname is most prevalent in the Welsh counties of Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Cheshire. In Ireland, the Woodley name is primarily found along the western coast, from Galway to Clare. It is also found in parts of New Zealand and Australia.

Variations of the surname Woodley

The surname Woodley is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words ‘wudu’ and ’leah’, which together mean ‘wood clearing’. Variants, spellings and surnames with the same origin include Woodlee, Wudley, Woodly, Woodlie, Woolley, Woolley and Woolleigh.

Woodlee is an English variant of Woodley and according to records is most popular in the United States. Wudley is a derivative spelling with the same meaning, and is suggested to be an old spelling for the same origin. Similarly, spellings of Woodly and Woodlie were also used historically.

Woolley is the most common variant across the English-speaking countries, originating from the Old English ‘wulf’, meaning ‘wolf’ and ‘leah’, meaning ‘wood’ or ‘clearing’. It is also typically found in the United States, but can also be found in Canada. The variants, Woolley and Woolleigh also have the same origin.

Other spelling variants of Woodley include Wudly, Wodley, Wodly and Woodeley. This list of variants and surnames is not exhaustive as there may be alternative spelling combinations and names that exist with the same origin but that are not listed here.

Famous people with the name Woodley

• Shailene Woodley: American actress known for roles in blockbuster films such as Divergent, Fault in our Stars, Big Little Lies, and The Spectacular Now.
• Justin Woodley: British actor who has appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, About Time, and Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974.
• Ruth Woodley: British-American portrait painter, daughter of British-American painter and illustrator Alfredo Ramos Woodley.
• Miron Woodley: Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox between 1896 and 1898.
• Ella Woodley: English actress known for her role in the reality series Made in Chelsea.
• Florence Woodley: British suffragist, pacifist and author.
• Jesse Woodley: American piano blues musician who recorded solo recordings in the 1930s.
• Jack Woodley: former professional footballer who played for the Crystal Palace F.C. in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Will Woodley: British actor, best known for his role in the films Love Actually and About Time.
• Charles Woodley: British architect and scientist.

Other surnames

WoodlandWoodleWoodleeWoodlingWoodlockWoodly