Surname Whitley - Meaning and Origin
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DNA Voyage with iGENEA: An Emotional Journey Beyond the Surname 'Whitley'
A transformative journey through iGENEA’s DNA testing strung a cord of potent emotions, reshaping our understanding of family, heritage and individual identities. The experience deeply affected how I perceive my surname Whitley, highlighting its place in a far richer tapestry.
U. Whitley
read moreWhitley: What does the surname Whitley mean?
The last name Whitley is of English origin and derived from a place name. It is derived from Old English "hlid cyning" meaning a "sloped hill-kingdom". Whitley was first used as a place name for any area in which a slope was present. It could also refer to any place name beginning with "white", both of which were quite common in England during the Middle Ages.
Whitley is an early form of a habitation surname, denoting someone who came from the Whitley area. It can also be derived from "white lea," which would mean a grassy area that was covered in white petals from surrounding wildflowers.
The surname Whitley has been found in continental Europe since the 1500’s, most notably in Ireland. It has many variants, such as Whytely, Whetly, Whitelie, Whitlin, Whitling, Whitlane, Whitleigh, and Witley.
The most common variants of the Whitley surname are Whitelie, Whytely, and Whitling. The vast majority of Whitley families living in England can be traced to a single individual, John Whytely, who was born in Bristol, England in 1608.
The Whitley family coat-of-arms uses two silver stars, known as mullets, on a black background. It dates back to the 1400s. The family motto reads, “Fret Nothing, Yet Have a Care.”
The Whitley surname is a reminder of where our ancestors came from and of the battles and struggles they faced in order to pass down their family line.
Order DNA origin analysisWhitley: Where does the name Whitley come from?
The last name Whitley is most common in the United States today, specifically in the southern region of the country. In particular, Whitley is most prevalent in the states of Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
The largest concentration of the surname Whitley can be found in Alabama, where it ranks 46th in popularity according to the 2020 census. This marks the seventh most common surname in the state. Whitley is the second most common last name in Jefferson County, AL, and ranks as the fourth most common last name in Mobile County, AL.
In Tennessee, the surname Whitley is the 27th most popular name in the state, ranking the third most common name in Campbell County. It also ranks in the top 25 most popular names in the state of Kentucky.
Due to its prevalence in the American South, the surname Whitley could be a sign of Southern heritage. Those with the name Whitley could have originated from British immigrants with either Scottish or English ancestry. The name derives from an Old English surname meaning “from the white meadow" and is derived from a location of the same name found in England.
Variations of the surname Whitley
The surname Whitley is an anglicized form of the Olde English pre 7th century name 'Hwiteley', Whiteley, or Witley. This surname is derived from the words 'hwit' meaning white, and 'leah', which is a clearing in the forest or an open area.
The variants of Whitley include Whiteley, Wittley, Whytley, Wightley, Witley, Wytley, and Whitely. Some other spellings are Whitleigh, Whitly, and Wightly.
The most common variants of Whitley are Whiteley and Wytley. Whitley can also be found spelled as Whitlie, Wytleigh, Whitleigh, Whitleigh, Witleigh, Withleigh, Wytlie, and Whitlie.
The surnames of the same origin as Whitley include Whitlock, Whitely, Whitely-Ford, Whitlin, Whitmore, Whitnall, Whitnell, Whitworth, Widman, and Wight. Other surnames related to Whitley include Whyte, Whiting, Wilkin, Willing, Williamson, Willett, Whittam, Whitfield, and Wyatt.
While Whitley is the most common spelling, most variations of the name share a common meaning and have seen various sources of variation in spelling over the centuries. Regardless of spelling, the name Whitley is likely derived from the same family and has the same origin.
Famous people with the name Whitley
- Morgan Whitley: American actor best known for his work in television series such as Fringe and The Flash.
- Bo Whitley: former Major League Baseball shortstop who has also been a coach for several teams.
- Kenny Whitley: former NFL player who played for the Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.
- Marc Anthony Whitley, Jr.: American actor known for his roles in Dance of Redemption and Brando Unmasked.
- Timothy Whitley: American photographer with a special focus on portraits.
- Tanner Whitley: blues musician who has played on several albums and was also the lead singer of the band Ferguson.
- Kiaya Whitley: American singer, songwriter, and television personality best known for her appearances on television programs such as Bravo's Below Deck.
- Garry Whitley: British electronic musician and producer who has collaborated with several other notable artists.
- Deano Whitley: former English footballer who also played for Sweden’s Gothenburg club.
- Chris Whitley: Grammy nominated rock singer-songwriter who released over a dozen albums before his death in 2005.