A diphthongized form of Willie, a diminutive of William, which see. compare Wylly Jaksone in Glasgow, 1454 (LCD., p. 178). Donald Wyly, tenant of Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, 1376 (RHM., I, p. lvi). John Wili held a land in Montrose, 1431, and Robert Wylye was vicar of Kilcoldrum, 1434 (REB., II, 35; I, 60). William Wyly, a witness in Prestwick, Ayrshire, 1446 (Prestwick, p. 114), Robert Wyly, charter witness in Glasgow, 1454 (LCD., p. 178), and Richard Wyly, vicar of Dundee, 1458 (REB., I, 182). In 1509 there is an entry of 'heritabill stat and sessing to Wilze Wille, as sone and air to John Willi' (Prestwick, p. 39). John Wily and Edward Wily in Cragy (Craigie) in Carrick, 1529 (RMS., III, 849). John Weyle was tenant of Castalstaris (Carstairs), 1530 (Rental), David Wyle, notary in Glasgow, 1550 (Protocols, I) and Michael Wylie, collier in Dysart, 1563 (Dysart, p. 30). A dittay against James Vylze and Jonnet Vylze is recorded in 1575 (Prestwich;, p. 74). Thomas Wyllie retoured heir of John Wyllie in Old Aberdene, his 'father brother,' 1653 (Retours, Aberdeen, 316). David Weillie in Pendyke recorded in 1659 (Kilbarchan), and Thomas Wylie was minister of the gospel at Kirkcudbriam, 1680 (Retours, Kirkcudbright, 338). Vylie 1602, Vyly 1435, Wile 1477.

This is a numerous and predominantly Ulster surname and one which, despite a fall in the country's population in the last hundred years has increased in numbers rather than decreased during that time.

In 1865 fifty-five births were registered for Wylie, Wiley and Wyley, 54 of which were in Ulster (mainly Counties Antrim, Armagh and Tyrone); in 1890 there were 51 births registered for Wylie, Wiley, Wilie and Wily, 49 in Ulster, chiefly in Co. Antrim. The name is English in origin (Bardsley says it is a toponymic, being taken from the village of Wyly in Wiltshire). There was a miller called Richard Wylly of Castletowncooley, north Louth, in 1449, but I have met no evidence to indicate that his descendants survive and are now called Wylie. In Pynnar's Survey of 1618-19 John Wylie is recorded as a lessee on the Fort Cunningham estate; and the families now widespread in the north of Ireland appear to have been introduced at the time of the Plantation of Ulster. Little is heard of them in the seventeenth century, though there are several of the name in the Hearth Money Rolls of Counties Antrim, Tyrone and Donegal, but subsequently the testamentary records of the northern dioceses prove a number of them to have been people of substance. It should be mentioned that O'Wyle occurs twice in the Derry hearth money rolls (1663). If this is to be equated with Wylie the O is probably a clerical error.

The name is to be found also to-day in east Clare, where the form used for it in Irish is Ó hUallaigh (see Howley, supra), but whether there is a traditional basis for this or it is merely guesswork I have been unable to ascertain.

(English) 1 diphthongized forms of Wiilie, Willey, q.v.

Here is Wyll Wyly the myl pecker.— Cocke Lorelles Bote: Percy Soc., vol. ii.

2 Wily [from Middle English wile, a wile; Old English wíg(o)l, divination] The wyly fox, the wedowis inemye.— The Kingis Quair, l. 1089.

An English toponymic which came to Ireland at the time of the Plantation of Ulster at the beginning of the seventeenth century and is now numerous, especially in Co. Antrim. SIF 155

(English) A variant of Wiley, q.v.

A parish near Hindon, co. Wilts, now more commonly written Wily.

A form of Willie or William; or wily, artful, sly.

Wylie: is no crafty rogue, but deduces from Vesli.