Wakeley Family History

English:: habitational name from Wackley in Petton (Shrophire) and perhaps also from Wakeley in Westmill (Hertfordshire). The origin of the Shropshire placename is uncertain due to a lack of early forms though it is probably old enough to have given rise to a surname.

The Hertfordshire placename derives from the Old English personal name Waca + Old English lēah ‘woodland clearing’ and it is possible that this is also the etymology of the Shropshire placename.

Variant of Wakerley a habitational name from Wakerley (Northamptonshire). The placename may derive from Old English wācor ‘osier’ or perhaps wacra genitive plural of wacor ‘watchful’ meaning ‘of the watchful ones’ + lēah ‘wood woodland clearing’.