Find out how popular the last name Wattley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wattley.

Wattley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wattley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wattley in America

Wattley is the 43584th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wattley surname appeared 495 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wattley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wattley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wattley

The surname Wattley is of English origin and dates back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the county of Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire, likely derived from the Old English words "wat" meaning "wet" or "water" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe someone who lived near a wet meadow or a clearing by a body of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Wateleia," referring to a place name. This lends credence to the theory that the surname was initially derived from a location rather than a personal name or occupation.

In the 13th century, records show variations of the name such as "Watteleg" and "Watteley" appearing in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. These early spellings further illustrate the connection between the name and the Old English words for "wet" and "meadow."

Notable individuals with the surname Wattley include John Wattley, a merchant from Nottinghamshire who lived in the 16th century and was involved in the wool trade. Another early record is of William Wattley, born in 1612 in Derbyshire, who served as a soldier during the English Civil War.

Moving into the 18th century, there are records of a Samuel Wattley (1734-1807) who was a renowned clockmaker in London, known for his innovative designs and intricate craftsmanship. His clocks are now highly sought after by collectors and can be found in museums around the world.

In the 19th century, a notable figure was Emma Wattley (1818-1892), a prominent educator and advocate for women's rights. Born in Nottinghamshire, she established several schools for girls and was a vocal supporter of equal educational opportunities for women.

Another individual worthy of mention is Sir Arthur Wattley (1865-1946), a British diplomat who served in various diplomatic posts across Europe and Asia. He played a significant role in negotiating treaties and fostering international relations during his long career.

While the surname Wattley is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history that spans several centuries and can be traced back to the early days of the Norman Conquest and the compilation of the Domesday Book. The name's origins are firmly rooted in the English countryside, reflecting the connection between the early bearers of the name and the natural features of the land they inhabited.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wattley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wattley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wattley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wattley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Wattley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wattley, please contact us.

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