History of your Surname
Get access to Wakeley family records.Start a free trial

Wakeley Family History

Wakeley Name Meaning

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’.

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


Similar surnames: Akeley, Walkley, Wansley, Wheeley, Gateley, Madeley, Wadley, Oakley

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Wakeley family from?

You can see how Wakeley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wakeley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Wakeley families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 78 Wakeley families living in London. This was about 21% of all the recorded Wakeley's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Wakeley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wakeley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Wakeley 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 Wakeley. 24% of Wakeley men worked as a General Labourer and 75% of Wakeley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Wakeley were Dairy Farmer and Domestic Service. .

View Census Data for Wakeley | 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
    24%
  • Retired
    10%
  • Electrical Overseer
    10%
  • Dairy Farmer
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    75%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Domestic Servant
    3%
  • Domestic Service
    2%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Wakeley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 10,000 census records available for the last name Wakeley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wakeley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Wakeley

Passenger Lists

There are 770 immigration records available for the last name Wakeley. 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 Wakeley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Wakeley. For the veterans among your Wakeley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Wakeley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Wakeley family history

Discover More

What is the average Wakeley lifespan?

Between 1961 and 2004, in the United States, Wakeley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1995, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Wakeley in 1961 was 56, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Wakeley

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Wakeley family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Wakeley last name

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