WESTLEY
Westley
Origin of the Name: Westley originated as an English surname, derived from a place name meaning "western clearing" or "west meadow". The name likely originated from various locations in England named Westley.
History and Distribution: The Westley surname is of medieval English origin and can be traced back to various regions in England. The name is commonly found in the East Anglian counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, as well as in other parts of England.
Notable Individuals:
- Richard Westley: (born 1920) - English poet known for his works drawing on rural life and nature.
- Emily Westley: (born 1975) - British actress famous for her roles in theatre and television.
- Sir Charles Westley: (1805–1875) - Prominent British politician and philanthropist, known for his contributions to societal welfare.
Coat of Arms: The Westley family coat of arms typically features symbols such as a shield with heraldic devices representing strength, courage, and loyalty, often accompanied by a motto denoting family values or beliefs.
Variants: Variants of the Westley surname include Wesley and Westleigh.
Current Distribution: The Westley surname continues to be present among British families, with descendants bearing the name residing both in the United Kingdom and around the world.
References:
- Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 2005.
- Barber, Henry. British Family Names: Their Origin and Meaning. Heraldry Today, 1997.
There are approximately 2,141 people named Westley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,957th most common surname in Britain. Around 33 in a million people in Britain are named Westley.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Adam
- Andrew
- Anthony
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Emma
- Gillian
- Jane
- Janet
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Sarah
- Susan
- Valerie
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.