Origin and Meaning of Wellesley

From the spring by the well

Origin: Old English - Derived from the Old English elements 'well' meaning 'spring' and 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing'.

• Wellesley is primarily known as a surname and is also famously associated with Wellesley College in Massachusetts, a prestigious women's liberal arts college.
• The name has historical roots in England and has been used by notable figures such as the Duke of Wellington, whose name was Arthur Wellesley.
• Wellesley is predominantly used as a male name, though it can be adopted for females and is generally seen as unisex.
• While not extremely common as a first name, Wellesley has seen a gradual increase in popularity in recent years, particularly in elite and academic circles.
• Variations of the name include 'Wells' and 'Welles', which are also used as standalone first names and surnames.