Whitley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Whitley were among those contributors:

Whitley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Michell Whitley, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 2
• Randall Whitley, who landed in Virginia in 1638 2
• Richard Whitley, who arrived in Virginia in 1646 2
• John Whitley, who landed in Maryland in 1674 2
• Thomas Whitley, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682

Whitley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Farmer Whitley, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 2
• Mary Whitley, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 2
• Solomon Whitley, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 2

Whitley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Michael Whitley, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1806 2
• Thomas Whitley, aged 46, who arrived in New York in 1812 2

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Whitley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Whitley U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 3

Whitley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. George Whitley, English convict who was convicted in Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
• Mr. John Whitley, English convict who was convicted in Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
• Amelia Whitley, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Condor" in 1851 5

Whitley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• George Joseph Whitley, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
• William Whitley, aged 30, a shipwright, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
• Mary Whitley, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
• Mr. William Whitley, (b. 1810), aged 30, British shipwright travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 6
• Mrs. Mary Whitley, (b. 1811), aged 29, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 6
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• William Whitley (1749-1813), early American pioneer and soldier, eponym of the USS Whitley (AKA-91)
• Taylor Whitley (b. 1980), retired American NFL offensive guard
• Raymond Otis "Ray" Whitley (1901-1979), American Country and Western singer, radio and Hollywood movie star
• Kym Whitley (b. 1961), American actress and comedienne
• Jackie Keith Whitley (1954-1989), American country music singer
• Hobart Johnstone "H.J." Whitley (1847-1931), American land developer, the "Father of Hollywood"
• E. J. Whitley (b. 1982), American NFL football player
• Christopher Becker "Chris" Whitley (1960-2005), American singer, songwriter and guitarist
• Chip Whitley, real name of American television celebrity Conan O'Brien
• Charles Orville Whitley (1927-2002), American politician, U.S. Congressman from North Carolina (1977-86)
• ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)