Save Type Surname (from location) Usage English Pronounced Pron. WAY-lee [key] Other Forms FormsWhalley, Walley, Whally, Wally Meaning & History From the name of the village of Whaley and the town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire, or the village of Whalley in Lancashire, England. It is derived from Old English wælla meaning "spring, stream" and leah meaning "woodland clearing".