Surname Woosley - Meaning and Origin
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Woosley: What does the surname Woosley mean?
The last name Woosley is an English patronymic name meaning 'son of Wulfsige', derived from the Old English name Wulfsige. Wulfsige was a personal name that was popular during the Middle Ages, so a family named Woosley could have been in Britain for many centuries. The name could also have originated from a place name, derived the Old English word 'wulf' meaning 'wolf' combined with 'leah', an area of land cleared for settlement.
There is evidence of Woosley families in suburban London and throughout the English Midlands and in East Anglia, near the Norfolk coast, prior to 1600. The earliest recorded occurrences of the name appear in local church registers and court records in the early 1600s, and some families can be traced back even further.
The Woosley family has its own coat of arms, which the family was granted in 1647. It is simple and striking, with a black cross on a red shield. It is considered a sign of honour amongst its members and used to identify members of the Woosley family from other families.
Today, the Woosley family is still a prominent presence in England. Many Woosleys are professional people such as doctors, executives and civil servants, making the name Woosley an old and distinguished one.
Order DNA origin analysisWoosley: Where does the name Woosley come from?
The last name Woosley is most commonly seen in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, there were over 31,000 people with that surname living in the US in 2018. The highest concentration of Woosleys were found in Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas.
Most of the Woosley households in the United States are concentrated in the West and South.The South has the highest concentration of Woosleys when compared to other parts of the country. Arkansas has the highest number of Woosley households with over 6,000 people, followed closely by Texas with almost 5,000 people. In Tennessee, there were over 1,700 Woosley households, while Kentucky had over 1,000.
The Woosley family name is also common in other countries, particularly in England. In the 1881 census, over 3,000 individuals in England had the last name Woosley. Though not as numerous as in the US, the Woosley family can also be found in Canada, Australia, Scotland, and Germany.
The Woosley family name may be derived from a family living near a forest clearing in Old English. The name may have been given to the original bearer of the name because of its proximity to an area of trees or a wooded area.
Variations of the surname Woosley
The surname Woosley is a patronymic surname that originated in England. The variants, spellings and surnames all have the same root and have evolved through the years.
The most common variant of Woosley is Woollsey. This spelling is also found as Woolsey and Woolseye. The primary meaning of these variants is “from the wools” and comes from a word meaning “wool producer”.
Another variant of Woosley is Woozley. This surname is also sometimes spelled Wozley. The primary meaning of this variant is “from the salt” and is derived from a word meaning “salt maker.”
Variants also include Wulsley, Wulley, and Wully. The first two are also spelled Willsey, Wellsley, and Wilesey. This spelling typically means “from the spring” and is derived from a word meaning “spring maker” or “springer.”
Wooly and Wooley are also variants of Woosley. These variants are interpreted to mean “from the wolf” and come from a word meaning “wolf den” or “wolf shelter.”
The surnames Woolsey, Woolley, Wozley, Wulsey, Willsey, Wellsley, Wilesey, Wooly and Wooley are all variants of the surname Woosley. All of these surnames are derived from words that describe places of origin, trade, or occupation.
Famous people with the name Woosley
- Amanda Woosley: American poet and novelist specializing in horror, science fiction, and speculative fiction.
- Marie Woosley: American softball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Eric Woosley: American college football coach who served as the head coach for Auburn University from 1954 to 1962.
- Kent Woosley: American fundraiser, political figure, and public glasses wearer who served as the mayor of Marine Villa, Missouri from 1997 to 2001.
- Virginia Woosley: British stage actress and vaudevillian who began her career in the late 1890s.
- Sarah Woosley: British radio and television presenter best known for her work on BBC Radio 4's Woman’s Hour.
- Percy Woosley: British actor who featured in several films, including Passport to Pimlico (1949) and The Moonstone (1934).
- John Woosley: American film and television writer, best known for his work on the television series The Simpsons.
- David Woosley: British-born American actor and singer who starred in the musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.
- Robert Woosley: Australian actor and director who directed over a dozen films between 1910 and 1927.