Wanley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Etymology of Wanley

The surname Wanley is generally thought to have been a nickname derived from the Middle English word "wanles" meaning "hopeless, luckless" 1 and is found in northern England and in later years in Scotland.

However, on source disagrees and notes the name is "of uncertain origin, the usual definitions offered being, I think, improbable." 2

Early Origins of the Wanley family

Early History of the Wanley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wanley research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1451, 1538, 1634, 1655, 1671, 1672, 1680, 1711 and 1726 are included under the topic Early Wanley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wanley Spelling Variations

Although the name, Wanley, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Wandless, Wanless, Wanliss, Wanlace, Wanley, Wanlass, Wanles and many more.

Early Notables of the Wanley family

• Humphrey Wanley (1672-1726), English antiquary, born at Coventry on 21 March 1671 and baptised on 10 April, the son of Nathaniel Wanley...

Migration of the Wanley family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Wanley family name Wanley, or who bore a variation of the surname were Elizabeth Wanless landed in America in 1750.