Wellesley

Wellesley
Recorded as Wesley, Westley, Westly and Wellesley, the family name of the dukes of Wellington, this is a locational surname. For ever associated with the non conformist preacher John Wesley (1703 - 1791), it originates from any or even all of the various places in England called Westley or Westleigh, from the Olde English pre 7th century word "west", usually meaning to the west of a main settlement, and "leah, a parcel of land in a forest cleared for agriculture, essentially a farm, although it may also mean a water or low-lying meadow. Places thus named include Westley, a parish in West Suffolk, recorded as "Westlea" in the Domesday Book of 1086; or Westleigh in Devonshire, also recorded in the Domesday Book of the same year. Locational surnames, such as this, were originally given either to the lord of the manor, or to those who left the village to settle elsewhere. Early examples of the surname include: Adam de Westeleg of Lancashire, in 1242, and Richard de Westleye of Warwickshire, in 1332. The surname as Wellesley was a late creation, in the 18th century, Garrett Wellesley, the father of Arthur, !st Duke of Wellington, being recorded as Wesley until 1798. The reason for the change may have been to disassociate the family from Wesleyanism. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wlmar de Westle. This was dated 1095, in Feudal Documents from the abbey of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, during the reign of King William 11nd, known as "Rufus", 1087 - 1100. 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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  • Wellesley — may refer to:People* Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley (1760–1842), Irish peer, statesman, and Governor General of India * Henry Wellesley, 1st Baron Cowley (1773–1847), Irish diplomat * Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington… …   Wikipedia

  • Wellesley — bezeichnet: Wellesley (Familie), eine englische Familie Wellesley College, eine US amerikanische Privathochschule für Frauen Wellesley (Toronto Subway), Station der Toronto Subway Vickers Wellesley, ein britisches Flugzeug Wellesley ist der Name… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Wellesley — Wellesley, Arthur Wellesley, Richard Colley, marqués de * * * (as used in expressions) Walter Wellesley Smith Wellesley (de Norragh), Richard Colley Wellesley, marqués de Wellesley College Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1 duque de …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Wellesley — Wellesley, MA U.S. Census Designated Place in Massachusetts Population (2000): 26613 Housing Units (2000): 8861 Land area (2000): 10.180632 sq. miles (26.367714 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.308652 sq. miles (0.799405 sq. km) Total area (2000): 10 …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Wellesley, MA — U.S. Census Designated Place in Massachusetts Population (2000): 26613 Housing Units (2000): 8861 Land area (2000): 10.180632 sq. miles (26.367714 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.308652 sq. miles (0.799405 sq. km) Total area (2000): 10.489284 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Wellesley —   [ welzli], Arthur, Herzog von Wellington, Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Herzog von.   …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Wellesley [1] — Wellesley (spr. Uëll sli), Name der Familie Cowley od. Colley, welche im 16. Jahrh. aus England in Irland einwanderte u. aus welcher Richard Cowley 1728 mit den Gütern der ausgestorbenen Familie W. od. Wesley, welche er an sich brachte, auch… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Wellesley [2] — Wellesley (spr. Uëll sli), Inselgruppe im Carpentariagolf an der Nordküste von Australien …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Wellesley [1] — Wellesley (spr. ŭélleslī), hinterindisch brit. Provinz. s. Pinang …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Wellesley [2] — Wellesley (spr ŭélleslĭ), Ort im nordamerikan. Staate Massachusetts, westlich von Boston, am Lake Waubau, mit einem berühmten College für Frauen und (1900) 5072 Einw …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Wellesley [3] — Wellesley (spr. ūélleslĭ), berühmte englische Familie, die von den Colleys oder Cowleys von Rutland abstammt, die unter Heinrich VIII. nach Irland auswanderten. Richard Colley wurde 1728 von seinem Vetter Garrett Wesley oder W. zum Erben… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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