The name Wayland originates from Old English and is derived from the words "weg" meaning "way" and "land" meaning "land". It is believed to have originated as a place name referring to a cleared path or road through a forested area. The name was likely given to someone who lived near such a path or road.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Wayland appears in the Old English poem "Beowulf", where it is used to refer to a legendary smith or metalworker. In the poem, Wayland is described as a skilled craftsman who was imprisoned by a king but eventually escaped by fashioning wings and flying away.

Another early reference to the name Wayland can be found in the Frankish epic "The Song of the Nibelungs", where it is used as the name of a master blacksmith who forges a legendary sword called Balmung.

The first recorded example of the name being used as a given name is from the 11th century, when a man named Wayland was listed in the Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Wayland. One of the earliest was Wayland the Smith, a legendary figure from Germanic mythology who was said to be a skilled metalworker and the creator of many famous swords and other weapons.

Another famous bearer of the name was Wayland Vaughan (1572-1641), an English poet and physician who was a prominent member of the literary circle known as the Metaphysical Poets.

In the 18th century, Wayland Young (1733-1819) was an English clergyman and author who wrote several books on natural history and theology.

In the 19th century, Wayland Hoyt (1838-1892) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut.

More recently, Wayland Addison Young (1913-2001) was an American educator and university administrator who served as the president of Florida A&M University from 1953 to 1977.