Wooley

Wooley is a British surname of Old English origin, derived from the word "wulf" meaning wolf. The name is of toponymic origin, indicating that the bearers of the surname hailed from a place called Wooley. This place name is believed to have meant "wolves' wood" or "wolves' clearing", suggesting that it was an area frequented by wolves in ancient times.

The surname Wooley is found predominantly in the northern regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire. It is a surname with a long history in the British Isles, with records dating back to the medieval period. The Wooley family has been associated with various notable individuals and families throughout history, with some branches of the family achieving prominence in politics, academia, and other fields.

Today, individuals with the surname Wooley can be found not only in the United Kingdom but also in other English-speaking countries, due to migration and dispersal over the centuries. The name continues to be passed down through generations, maintaining a link to the ancestral origins of the bearers.

There are approximately 445 people named Wooley in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named Wooley.

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

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Alison
  • Catherine
  • Dorothy
  • Emma
  • Jane
  • Janet
  • Jean
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Sarah
  • Sharon
  • Susan
  • Victoria

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.