This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Wesley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Wesley Family History

Wesley Surname Meaning

English: habitational name from any of various places called with the Old English elements west ‘west’ + lēah ‘wood woodland clearing’ as for example Westley in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

Westleigh in Devon and Greater Manchester is another notable place with this naming origin.

The combination of these elements signifies a location situated to the west, often involving a wooded area or clearing.

Such names often reflect the geographical features and natural surroundings of the regions they denote.

The use of the Old English language in these names indicates their historical significance and cultural heritage.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Wesley family from?

You can see how Wesley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wesley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Wesley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 155 Wesley families living in Leicestershire. This was about 11% of all the recorded Wesley's in United Kingdom. Leicestershire had the highest population of Wesley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wesley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Wesley ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Wesley. 7% of Wesley men worked as a General Labourer and 72% of Wesley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Wesley were Cowman and Domestic Servant.

View Census Data for Wesley | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    7%
  • Bricklayer
    6%
  • Builders Labourer
    5%
  • Cowman
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    72%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Domestic Servant
    2%

What Wesley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 95,000 census records available for the last name Wesley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wesley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Wesley

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Wesley. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Wesley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 16,000 military records available for the last name Wesley. For the veterans among your Wesley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Wesley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Wesley family history

Discover More

What is the average Wesley lifespan?

Between 1944 and 2004, in the United States, Wesley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 1999. The average life expectancy for Wesley in 1944 was 23, and 67 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Wesley

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Wesley ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Wesley family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial