Surname Werley - Meaning and Origin

Werley: What does the surname Werley mean?

The last name Werley is of German origin and is thought to come from the name Wührle, which translates to mean someone who came from a place called Würl. Würl is an old German word for an area of settlement or a fortified village. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were people who moved away from their original home and settled in a new location.

Additionally, the name may have been derived from the Old German word 'Wer', which means to protect, control, and guard. This could suggest that those who adopted the Werley surname had a profession that revolved around protection, either from military service or other roles tied to security.

Werley is among a group of German surnames that emerged during the Middle Ages. This coincides with the development of hereditary surnames which were adopted in order to distinguish families from one another. As Germany developed, many people adopted last names to give distinction and separation. Werley is one such name.

The surname has spread throughout Europe and beyond over the centuries, most likely after those who originally bore the name were forced to flee persecution in their original homeland. Werley is also a common surname in the United States, Canada, and Australia, suggesting that the family has moved across the globe over the years.

Ultimately, the last name Werley is a derivative of the Old German words Würl and Wer, and is indicative of the development of the German last name system over the course of its history.

Werley: Where does the name Werley come from?

The last name Werley is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, USA. It is among the thousands of surnames of German, Swiss, and Austrian descent that have made their way to the United States due to immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Werley surname is especially common in such areas as Lehigh County, Lancaster County, and Berks County, all of which are located in the Pennsylvania Dutch region. Additionally, the name is found in other states with large German backgrounds, such as Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and Iowa.

Werley is generally believed to be an occupational surname, deriving from the Middle High German word “wergal”, meaning “workman” or “worker”. Given the oral tradition of surnames from the 18th century, it is also possible that it has its roots in a nickname for a hard-working person.

If you are looking for members of the Werley family today, you can likely find them in Pennsylvania, as well as many other German-American communities. Many Werleys are still found in the Church of the Brethren, a denomination with its origin in 1700’s Germany. At any rate, the name is still quite common in Eastern peninsular United States.

Variations of the surname Werley

The Werley surname can vary slightly in spelling and pronunciation, depending on the region. Variations of the surname include Warley, Warly, Worley, Worly, Wurly, Wurley, Warleigh, Wurleigh and Wirlie.

The Werley surname is often associated with a location, indicating one's heritage. The Scottish-English variant, Warley, for example, is derived from Warley in Harlow, Essex or Warley in West Yorkshire. The Warleigh form is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac an Bhairlein, meaning ‘son of Barbara’.

The Worley and Worly variants are popular in England and the United States, originating in Gloucestershire. The Worley family were lords of the manor in Worle from the middle of the 12th century. Another notable Worley family lived in Warwick and started untitled. The Worly version was particularly prevalent in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The Wurley and Wurly variants are found mainly in Ireland and Scotland, and are derived from the Old Gaelic personal names Mag Riocáin, Mac Oireachtain, and Mac Giolla Riocáin, meaning 'son of the king'. The Wurleigh spelling is an Anglicized version of Mac Riocáin.

The Wirlie variant is of Scottish origin and can be derived from any of a number of different qualities or professions, such as ‘upright man’ or ‘Watchful guardian’. It can also be derived from the place-name Wirles, located on the border of Northumberland, England.

Famous people with the name Werley

• Tim Werley: American actor and voice actor. Known for his roles as Bass Armstrong from Dead or Alive, Rob Lucci from One Piece, Kazz from Yo-Kai Watch, and Zazel the Sorrowful from Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
• Mark Werley: American animator and character designer. His works have contributed to the animation of television shows Steven Universe, Clarence, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 series), and Danny Phantom.
• Peter Werley: American film and television director. His credits include movies such as The Desperate Hours, Don't Give Up the Ship and episodes of television shows such as Maverick, The Beverly Hillbillies and Laredo.
• Sandy Werley: American radio broadcaster, musician and actor. He is known for playing bass in the Machete Music artist Orbit Rockers and has hosted The Sandy Werley Hour in syndication on radio stations across the US.
• Sven Werley: Swedish diver, competing in the men's 10 metre platform event. He was a member of Team Sweden at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Ana Werley: Brazilian volleyball player who plays for the French club Volley Castres in the European Top Volley Ligue A. She has also represented the Brazilian National Team in both youth and senior competitions.
• Riccardo Werley: Italian rally driver. He is the winner of the 2013 Italian Rally Championship and a multiple-time podium finisher in the European Rally Championship.
• Hans Christian Werley: Danish football coach and former player. He has coached Copenhagen and AB Odense, and is currently the Head Coach of Danish 3rd Division club, Kjellerup IF.

Other surnames

WerleWerlein