This surname recorded in the known spellings of Werndly, Werndley, and Wernly, is believed to be English and locational. It apparently originates from a place called "Werndley" or a similar spelling, however our researches suggest that no such place exists, and probably has not done so since the 16th century. The spelling of the surname would indicate that the place, wherever it was, had Ancient British, pre Roman origins, and derived from "verno" meaning alder trees, and "leah", a clearing, the clearing in the alder woods. Roughly ten percent of all British surnames originate from now totally lost medieval villages, of which the only reminder in the late 20th century is the surviving surname. This seems to be another example of the genre. Examples of the surname recordings taken from authentic surviving church registers include William Werndly, who married Eleanor Harwood at St Matthews church, Bethnal Green, on November 30th 1790, and Henry Charles Werndly, who was christened at the famous church of St Martins in the Field, Westminster, on September 19th 1840. The first known church recording is that of William Werndley, a witness at the church of St Ann's Soho, Westminster, London, on April 11th 1726. This was during the reign of George 1st, known as "Hanover George", 1715 - 1727.

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