Surname Wylie - Meaning and Origin
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Wylie: What does the surname Wylie mean?
The last name Wylie is of Scottish origin and is derived from the word "wily" or "cunning." It typically refers to a person who is clever or deceitful. The name is thought to have been a nickname before it became a surname. It's also often related to a place or geographical feature, suggesting that the original name holders lived near a tricky or deceptive piece of landscape, such as a confusing forest or treacherous stretch of river. Like many Scottish surnames, Wylie could have also been adopted when families lived in towns and villages called Wylie or Wylye in Scotland and England. The surname is popular in both countries. Variations of the name include Wyllie, Wyly, and Wilie. It's important to note that meanings can vary based on cultural and regional differences.
Order DNA origin analysisWylie: Where does the name Wylie come from?
The surname Wylie is of Scottish origin and is derived from the pre 7th century Old English word "wilig," which means "willow". There are several places in Scotland named Wylie, from which the surname may also have been derived. This surname was first found in North Lanarkshire, an area in the central Lowlands of Scotland.
During the era of British colonization, Scottish surnames like Wylie were carried to places around the globe, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Consequently, Wylie is a surname that can be found in many English-speaking countries today. Specifically in America, it is predominant in the states of Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. In addition to this, the largest number of people with the surname Wylie live in the United Kingdom, with the highest density in Northern Ireland.
It's also noteworthy that the Wylie surname has many variant spellings including Wyllie, Wyly, Wyley, Wiley, and others, which have contributed to its spread across different regions. This variability in spelling was often a result of phonetic transcriptions during immigration.
Variations of the surname Wylie
The surname Wylie is originated from Scotland and is associated with the geographical region of ancestry. The spelling variations of the name may be due to translation issues, spelling errors, or regional dialects. Some common variations of Wylie include Wyllie, Wylie, Wyley, Wyly, Wyliey, Wyaley, Wyaley, Wylye, Wylliee, and Wyleye.
In other instances, the surname may be associated with a personal name. For instance, it can be seen as a variation of the surname Wiley, which is derived from an Old English personal name 'Wilige', meaning 'willow'. Other spellings of the personal name include Willey, Willy, and Wylei.
In terms of related surnames, Wiley is a prevalent one. There are also other Scottish surnames with similar origins, based on geographical names or topographical features, like Wyland and Wynton.
However, it should be noted that variations in spelling can be seen even within the same family due to historical reasons. It's always wise to consider different spelling variations when researching family genealogy.
Famous people with the name Wylie
- Adam Wylie: An American actor, voice actor, and former Crayola spokesman.
- Andrew Wylie: A leading American literary agent, known as “The Jackal.”
- Elinor Wylie: A famous American poet and novelist from the early 20th century.
- Philip Wylie: An American author of works ranging from pulp science fiction, mysteries, social diatribes, and satire.
- Ida Alexa Ross Wylie: A prolific Australian-born American novelist and screenwriter.
- Michele Wylie: An Irish equestrian athlete who competed in the Olympics.
- H. Orton Wiley: A Christian theologian who served as president of Northwest Nazarene College and Pasadena College, known for contributions to the theology of the Nazarene and Wesleyan churches.
- Noah Wyle: An American film, television, and theatre actor.
- Chalmers Wylie: An American representative from Ohio and member of the Republican Party.
- Robert W. Wylie: An American football and rugby union coach who served as the first head football coach at the University of Wyoming.
- Suzanne Wylie: A chief executive of Belfast City Council in Northern Ireland.
- William Thomas Wylie: An American football player who played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions in 1936.
- Keenan Wylie: An American percussionist, arranger, and composer.
- Edward Wylie: A Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Note: Noah Wylie spells his surname differently (W-Y-L-E), but is included due to phonetic similarity.