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

Wolfley, 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 Wolfley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wolfley in America

Wolfley is the 26391st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wolfley surname appeared 925 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 Wolfley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wolfley 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 Wolfley

The surname Wolfley has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from two Old English elements: "wulf," meaning wolf, and "leah," meaning a clearing or meadow. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived in or near a meadow frequented by wolves or a clearing associated with wolves.

The name Wolfley can be traced to areas in England where Old English was predominantly spoken. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, although the specific surname Wolfley is not directly listed, similar compound names featuring "wolf" and "leah" elements are evident. This supports the theory that the surname could have gradually evolved from these compound place names.

An early recorded instance of the surname is found in the 12th century where William de Wolfley is documented in historical records. This indicates that the name had become established by this time. The records suggest that individuals bearing this surname were likely associated with specific geographic locations named Wolfley or variations thereof.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the surname appears in various forms due to inconsistent spelling conventions. Variants such as Woolfley and Wulffley have been noted in medieval manuscripts. One such historical reference is John Wolfley, who is mentioned in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire. The Hundred Rolls were a series of census records and legal documents that provide a snapshot of landholders and residents during that period.

Moving into the early modern period, another notable figure was Richard Wolfley, born in 1534 and recorded in parish registers in London. These registers were established to keep track of significant events such as baptisms, marriages, and burials, helping to preserve the surname's presence in historical documentation.

In the 17th century, Captain Thomas Wolfley is notable for his role as a merchant seaman. His voyages between England and the American colonies make appearances in shipping records from this period. These records reflect the migrations and economic activities that were expanding during this time.

By the 18th century, the name had spread to various parts of the English-speaking world. One significant figure was Reverend Samuel Wolfley, born in 1767, who was known for his contributions to religious scholarship and his sermons. His works were noted in religious tracts and publications of the time.

In the 19th century, William Henry Wolfley, an English military officer, contributed to the ongoing traditions of the British armed forces. His service records and mention in military dispatches highlight the continued prominence of the surname within military and public service contexts.

The surname Wolfley, with its deep-rooted connections to both geographical landscapes and historical developments in England, demonstrates the intricate ways in which names evolve alongside human activities and societal changes. The stories of individuals bearing this surname reflect a rich tapestry of historical events and personal achievements, cementing the name's legacy in the annals of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wolfley

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

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 Wolfley 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 Wolfley 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 Wolfley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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