Whitely

Whitely
This is a locational surname of Olde English pre 7th century origins. It dervies from the various villages of the same name in the counties of Berkshire, Cheshire, Northumberland, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire, or from residence at 'a clearing (leah) in a 'white' (hwit) wood'. The meaning of 'white' is unclear, but it is generally accepted that the translation is a deciduous wood, and perhaps specifically birch, rather than evergreen. The other possible meaning is a lightly forested area, at a time when nine tenths of England was at least partly forested. The surname is one of the oldest on record, and there are many examples from the 12th century, essentially the dawn of the surname period. Prior to that time only the nobility and the church had 'sur' names, and even they would not have recognised the term. Early examples of the surname include Richardus de Witelay of Yorkshire in the 1190 Pipe Rolls, Hilda de Wittelia in the Pipe Rolls of Nottingham, and Richard de Whiteley in the 1246 Assize Rolls of Lancashire. Later recordings include those of William Whitleaye of Lincolnshire in the 1582 register of students of Oxford University, and Thomas Whitlee, recorded as being a lighterman, who married Mary Ambros, at Canterbury, Kent, on June 1st 1688. The coat of arms granted in Yorkshire has the blazon of a blue field, charged with three torteaux on a silver bend. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Witteleia, which was dated 1125, the ancient charters of the county of Cheshire, during the reign of King Henry 1, of England, 1100 - 1135. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Whitely — White ly, a. Like, or coming near to, white. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whitely — [hwīt′lē] adv. so as to be white; with a white or pale appearance …   English World dictionary

  • whitely — /hwuyt lee, wuyt /, adv. with a white hue or color: The sun shone whitely. [1350 1400; late ME; see WHITE, LY] * * * …   Universalium

  • whitely — white ► ADJECTIVE 1) of the colour of milk or fresh snow, due to the reflection of all visible rays of light. 2) very pale. 3) relating to a human group having light coloured skin, especially of European ancestry. 4) morally or spiritually pure.… …   English terms dictionary

  • whitely — I. adverb Etymology: Middle English whitly, from whit white + ly, adverb suffix : so as to show or appear white : with an effect of whiteness reflect light whitely like clouds or snow Time II. adjective …   Useful english dictionary

  • Whitely King — (18??–?) was a union organizer in Australia in the late 19th century. He is featured in the folk song The Shearer and the Rouseabout by Joe Watson and the poem Saint Peter by Henry Lawson (later adapted into a folk song by Peter Duggan).A certain …   Wikipedia

  • whitely — adverb Date: 14th century with an effect of whiteness ; so as to show or appear white …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • whitely — adverb In a white manner …   Wiktionary

  • whitely — adv. with a white color …   English contemporary dictionary

  • whitely — white·ly …   English syllables

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