Show ContentsWeakley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Weakley is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Weakley family lived in Hertfordshire, at the manor of Wakely.

Early Origins of the Weakley family

The surname Weakley was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, conjecturally the family were descended from Ralph of Wakely, a Norman noble, who held his lands from Count Allan and was thus reflected in the Domesday Book Survey of 1086 A.D.

Early History of the Weakley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weakley research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1600 is included under the topic Early Weakley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weakley Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Weakley include Wakley, Wakeley, Wakely, Wakelie, Wakelee, Weakley, Wakerley and many more.

Early Notables of the Weakley family

More information is included under the topic Early Weakley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weakley Ranking

In the United States, the name Weakley is the 10,401st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the Weakley family to Ireland

Some of the Weakley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Weakley migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Weakleys to arrive on North American shores:

Weakley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Charles B. Weakley, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1905
  • Ernest Weakley, aged 48, who settled in America from Bristol, England, in 1913
  • Albert Weakley, aged 46, who immigrated to the United States, in 1919

Canada Weakley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Weakley Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Gladys Weakley, aged 5, who immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1920
  • Irene Weakley, aged 11, who settled in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1920

Australia Weakley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Weakley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • George Weakley, aged 20, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Surge" 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Weakley (post 1700) +

  • Alan Stuart Weakley (b. 1957), American botanist with expertise in the systematics, ecology, and conservation of the flora of the Southeastern United States
  • Robert Weakley (1764-1845), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee (1809-1811)
  • Patricia Marie Weakley, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1972 3
  • Lawrence O. Weakley, American Republican politician, Postmaster at St. Joseph, Missouri, 1910-14 3
  • James Weakley, American Republican politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 19th District, 1872-74 3
  • Ian Weakley (b. 1974), Jamaican two-time gold medalist hurdler
  • Dwight Glenroy Weakley (b. 1969), Bahamian cricketer who has represented the Bahamas national cricket team in 24 matches


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SURGE 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/surge1852.shtml
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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