Whiteley

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small settlement in southern England, named after a place that bears this name ; a family name carried by people of English origin
2. An English village in the south of the country ; a surname borne by various people across the English-speaking world
3. A village located in southern England ; a family name of English origin shared by many individuals

Etymology: Whiteley is mainly a surname, and most surnames of this shape began as place names. It combines Old English "hwīt", meaning "white", with "lēah", meaning a wood or clearing. The name therefore meant something like "white clearing" or "pale meadow", and it was probably given to a family who lived at a place of that name. The name is best known in London, where William Whiteley opened a shop that grew into a major department store on Westbourne Grove. Whiteley became known as the "Universal Provider", and the store kept his name long after his death. He was shot dead in the store by a man who had a grudge against him.