A Scottish, English and Irish surname, Wiley, is a form of the given name William. There was also the Old English term ‘wilig’ which meant a willow clearing. Variations in spelling for Wiley include Willey, Whyley, Wily, Wyley, Wyly and Wylie. In England along the central and eastern region of the country are most Wiley families. Most live in Yorkshire, Essex, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. In Scotland the largest concentrations of Wiley families are in Renfrewshire and Moray. Many also live in Dumfries-shire. Within the United States, Wiley families cover better than half of the United States. The highest percentage are located in Texas, Georgia, California, New York, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, Colorado, Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Famous: Nathaniel Wiley (illustrator), Marcellus Wiley (professional football player), Lee Wiley (jazz singer), Harvey Washington Wiley (a chemist who helped have the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 developed), Isaac William Wiley (19th century founder of Wiley College in Texas), Cliff Wiley (champion track and field athlete) and Kehinde Wiley (portrait artist).