Woodley

Woodley is a British surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English words wudu, meaning "wood", and leah, meaning "clearing". The name Woodley would have originally denoted someone who lived near or in a wood or forest clearing.

The Woodley surname is most commonly found in the southern counties of England, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey. It is believed to have originated in medieval times, with early records dating back to the 13th century.

Some notable individuals with the surname Woodley include actor Shailene Woodley, known for her roles in films such as The Fault in Our Stars and the Divergent series, and mathematician Sir Gawain Collingwood Woodley, who made significant contributions to the field of numerical analysis.

Overall, the Woodley surname has a rich history in Britain and continues to be a part of the country's diverse tapestry of family names.

There are approximately 5,423 people named Woodley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,750th most common surname in Britain. Around 83 in a million people in Britain are named Woodley.

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

  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Stephen

Female

  • Alison
  • Angela
  • Carol
  • Emma
  • Jennifer
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.