Surname Woodly - Meaning and Origin
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Woodly: What does the surname Woodly mean?
The last name Woodly is English in origin, and it is thought to have derived from the Middle English word “wodelie” which means “woodland clearing.” It is a habitational name, which suggests that early bearers of this surname lived or worked near a wooded area.
The name would also have been bestowed on individuals living close to a particular “woody” area or living near a road or clearing surrounded by woody areas. It could also mean that the early bearers of the name were descended from someone who lived in or near a woodland area.
Although the name is English in origin, it does not seem to have been widely recorded in England during the Middle Ages and remains relatively rare today. Its frequency in the United States has increased gradually in the past few hundred years, as individuals bearing the name have immigrated from England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Woodly is often spelled as Woodley and Woodleigh and has variants such as Wodley and Woodleye. Today the surname is found most notably in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisWoodly: Where does the name Woodly come from?
The surname Woodly is most commonly found within the United States today. It was first recorded in the 16th century when William Woodley came to Virginia from England to help establish the Jamestown Colony, making it one of the oldest surnames in the state of Virginia.
Woodley is one of the commonest surnames in Virginia, and can be found throughout the Eastern Seaboard region of the United States from Virginia to New York. It is also common in California and Texas, with large concentrations in the south and Midwest. The name is still prominent in London and other parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, although not as prevalent as it once was.
The name Woodley has many spelling variations in different regions, including Woodly, Woodlee, Woodleigh, and Woodlee. The name Woodly is the most common spelling of the name today.
Woodly is an occupational surname that derives from woodworking, indicating the original bearer was probably involved in the cutting and selling of wood. The name is also associated with a family of English gentry from Derbyshire. This branch of the family is believed to have descended from Sir Richard Woodly of Woodly in Derbyshire.
Overall, the name Woodly is most commonly found throughout the United States today, particularly in the East Coast and Midwest. However, it is still found in parts of the United Kingdom and other countries as well.
Variations of the surname Woodly
The surname Woodly has variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. These include Woodlee, Woodleigh, Woodlie, Woodlief, Woodley, Woodly, Woodlieffe, Woodford, and Woodward.
Woodlee is an alternate spelling of Woodly. It is most commonly seen in the United States.
Woodleigh is another variant of the surname Woodly. It is primarily found in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Woodlie and Woodlief are two other variants of the surname Woodly. These spellings are most commonly seen in Europe.
Woodley is another common spelling of the surname Woodly. This spelling is found primarily in the United States and parts of Europe.
Woodlieffe is a variant of the surname Woodly that is found primarily in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
Woodford is a surname of the same origin as Woodly. It is most often found in the United Kingdom, Europe, and parts of the United States.
Woodward is a surname of the same origin as Woodly. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and parts of the United States.
Famous people with the name Woodly
- Matt Woodley: American television and film producer
- Woodly Ann Downey: American pediatrician and neonatologist
- Meaghan Woodly: Canadian singer and songwriter
- Lena Woodly: British actor
- PJ Woodly: American jazz musician
- Raymond Woodly: American former track and field athlete
- Tony Woodly: English former footballer
- Spike Woodly: British air commodore
- Quinton Woodly: American politician
- Edward Woodly: American politician from Florida