Surname Webley - Meaning and Origin

Webley: What does the surname Webley mean?

The last name Webley can be traced to a number of locations across England and beyond. It is believed to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a spring or stream. Alternatively, the surname could be derived from a place name such as Woburne in Buckinghamshire, or from a possible variant of the Old English personal name Wulfbald or Wulfbalding.

The earliest record of the name dates back to 1160 in Staffordshire, where Henry Wibelai was documented in the Pipe Rolls. While the modern-day spelling of the surname is most likely derived from the Middle English Weblei, which ultimately stems from the Old English Wilbeald or Wilbald, phonetic variations such as Wibold, Webloy, Webly and Wibell can be found in historical documents.

The last name Webley can be found in a variety of professions. Historically, it has been associated with merchants, clergymen, glove makers, and game keepers. Throughout the Kyldesdale family line, four successive generations of Webleys served as Sheriff Deputes of Kyldesdale, Scotland.

The Webley surname continues to exist today. Bearers of the name can be found all over the world, largely in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States. While the last name itself has been quite common across England since before the medieval period, its true origin remains largely a mystery.

Webley: Where does the name Webley come from?

The last name Webley is of English origin and is most commonly found throughout England as well as some countries of the former British Empire such as Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Webley is also found in a few other countries around the world where people of English descent have settled, including the United States.

The Webley family name is believed to have been derived from the Middle English personal name "Wilbald" or "Wilbaut". Wilbald is a compound name composed of "wil" meaning "desire" and "bald" meaning "brave". It is likely that this name originated in an area known as Weald, which was in East Anglia and known to be the home of the Weald people.

Webley is also an uncommon first name, which is sometimes used as a surname. It is believed that some people whose given last name was Webley may have changed their surnames to something more common like Webley-Jones or Webley-Smith.

Today, the Webley family name is still primarily found in English-speaking countries. It is estimated that there are around 7,000 people throughout the world with the last name Webley, with the majority of these living in the United Kingdom and a few other countries in the Commonwealth.

Variations of the surname Webley

The surname Webley can be spelled several different ways, including Weblee, Wibley, Webbeley, Webely, and Webly. These all originate from the Old English name Wibeleg, which literally translates to “dweller of the winding road”.

The various spellings of Webley have been used to create multiple surnames, including Wibley, Webby, Webberley, Webley-Vernon, and Wibbley. These variants developed as individuals in different areas or time periods adapted or changed the spelling of their family name.

In addition, some prominent families of the surname Webley have adopted additional surnames such as de Webley and Webbly, which indicate a connection to a particular area or distinction in origin. This is often seen in families with a longer history of bearing the surname.

Webley is also sometimes seen as a middle name or contained within a compound surname, such as Hodgson-Webley, Woodrow-Webley, and Young-Webley. This is often seen in more modern times as families blend or merge surnames, either through marriage or through adoption.

Despite the various spellings and surnames that have derived from the original Old English name Wibeleg, all can be properly traced back to its origin.

Famous people with the name Webley

• Matt Webley: British TV and film actor well known for his roles in Sunshine on Leith, Outlander, and The Last Kingdom.
• Zac Webley: British skateboarding champion and professional athlete.
• Alistair Webley: retired British heavyweight boxing champion.
• Abraham Webley: British entrepreneur, real estate developer, and philanthropist.
• Joyce Webley: English theatre and film actress and talent coach.
• Karl Webley: English television actor known for his roles on The Bill and Silent Witness.
• Nick Webley: British pop singer-songwriter, best known for his hit single “Footprints in the Sand”.
• Nigel Webley: British politician, Member of the European Parliament, and former Member of Parliament representing the Labour party in the United Kingdom.
• Mark Webley: British video game developer and industry spokesman well known for creating the hit game series Fans of the Universe.
• Andrew Webley: British journalist and television presenter, well known for his work on BBC and ITV news programs.

Other surnames

Webler