WOOLSEY

Topographic

Meaning

A person who lived in a place associated with wool or a wool worker's settlement.

Etymology

Derived from Old English 'wull' (wool) combined with 'ey' or 'sey' meaning island or settlement. The surname indicates either an occupational origin or residence in a wool-related community.

About the WOOLSEY Surname

An English topographic or occupational surname with strong American colonial roots. The name appears in historical records primarily in northeastern United States.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 7,000 bearers in the United States #1,570 most common surname
Rare Common

Found in England and North America, with notable presence in New York and New England.

WOOLSEY Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer
More

Notable Bearers

People with the WOOLSEY Surname