Wiley Family History

Wiley Surname Meaning

English: from various places called with Old English wīg wēoh ‘idol’ + lēah ‘wood clearing’ such as Whyly in East Hoathly (Sussex), Whiligh in Ticehurst (Sussex), Weeley (Essex), Weoley (Worcestershire), and Willey (Surrey).

Alternatively, it may originate from any of the other places named Willey, such as those in Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Warwickshire, which are named with Old English wilig ‘willow’ + lēah.

Another potential source is Wylye (Wiltshire), which takes its name from the river Wylye, though its etymology remains uncertain.

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

Similar surnames: Riley, Willey, Wigley, Iley, Wilby, Willy, Wiles, Tilley, Wilkey, Hiley

331K	Birth, Marriage, and Deaths
49K	Military Records
14K	Immigration Records
241K	Census and Voter Lists
651K	Member Trees

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

Where is the Wiley family from?

You can see how Wiley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wiley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Wiley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 118 Wiley families living in Yorkshire. This was about 15% of all the recorded Wiley's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Wiley families in 1891.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wiley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Wiley

What did your Wiley 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 Wiley. 17% of Wiley men worked as a General labourer and 73% of Wiley women worked as an Unpaid domestic duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Wiley were spade shovel maker and Domestic duties.

View Census Data for Wiley

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.

General labourer

17%

Builders labourer

10%

fruit salesman

10%

spade shovel maker

Unpaid domestic duties

73%

Housewife

Private means

Domestic duties

What Wiley family records will you find?

Census Record

There are 241K census records available for the last name Wiley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wiley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Wiley

Passenger List

There are 14K immigration records available for the last name Wiley. 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 Wiley immigration records

Military Records

There are 49K military records available for the last name Wiley. For the veterans among your Wiley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Wiley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Wiley family history

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What is the average Wiley lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Wiley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1940, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Wiley in 1940 was 36, and 73 in 2004.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Wiley family tree

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Search for another surname

Wiley Surname Meaning

Another potential source is Wylye (Wiltshire), which takes its name from the river Wylye, though its etymology remains uncertain.

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

Where is the Wiley family from?

What did your Wiley ancestors do for a living?

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.

General labourer

17%

Builders labourer

10%

fruit salesman

10%

spade shovel maker

Unpaid domestic duties

73%

Housewife

Private means

Domestic duties

What Wiley family records will you find?

What is the average Wiley lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Wiley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1940, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Wiley in 1940 was 36, and 73 in 2004.

Wiley Family History

Wiley Surname Meaning

1 million record(s) for Wiley

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

Where is the Wiley family from?

What did your Wiley ancestors do for a living?

Top Male Occupations In 1939

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Wiley family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Wiley family history

What is the average Wiley lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Wiley family tree

Search for another surname

Wiley Surname Meaning

1 million record(s) for Wiley

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

Where is the Wiley family from?

What did your Wiley ancestors do for a living?

Top Male Occupations In 1939

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Wiley family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Wiley family history

What is the average Wiley lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Wiley family tree

Search for another surname