Wardley Family History

from Wardley (Rutland) which is recorded as Werlea in 1067 and Wardeley in the 13th century. The origin of the place-name is uncertain. The final element is Old English lēah ‘wood woodland clearing’; the initial element may be Old English weard ‘watch’ but the earliest forms of the place-name are without -d- suggesting a different unidentified initial element. Some of the bearers cited here may belong to (2) -3 or (4).

from Wardley near Swinton in Worsley (Lancs) which is recorded as Wordelegh in 129. The place-name may derive from Old English worð ‘enclosure’ + lēah ‘wood woodland clearing’.

from Wardley in Iping (Sussex). The place-name derives from an Old English personal name *Wearda + Old English lēah ‘wood woodland clearing’.

variant of Wardlow.