BAILEY
Bailey
Origin and Meaning The surname Bailey originated in England as an occupational name for a person who acted as an official in charge of a castle or fortified dwelling. Derived from the Middle English word "bail(l)i," meaning 'bailiff' or 'administrator,' the name Bailey has Norman-French roots and was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Distribution and Popularity The surname Bailey is widespread in the United Kingdom and has been among the top 100 most common surnames in England and Wales. It has also gained popularity in various English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variants and Derivatives Over time, the surname Bailey has produced various spelling variations and derivatives, including Bayley, Bailie, Baily, Bailly, Baillie, and Bayly. These different forms emerged due to factors such as regional accents, phonetic changes, and clerical errors in historical records.
Notable Individuals Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Bailey. These include:
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Derek Bailey (1930-2005): An influential English avant-garde guitarist and improviser known for his innovative approach to music.
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Pearl Bailey (1918-1990): An American actress and singer, best known for her performances on stage and screen, as well as her jazz and blues recordings.
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Catherine Bailey: A contemporary British historian and author, specializing in the study of medieval England and the Plantagenet dynasty.
Legacy and Cultural Significance The surname Bailey carries a legacy of administrative duties and responsibilities associated with the position of a medieval bailiff. Its prevalence across the English-speaking world reflects the historical significance of individuals entrusted with overseeing the affairs of castles, manors, and estates. Today, descendants of the Bailey family continue to honor this heritage, preserving a connection to their ancestral roots through genealogical research and family traditions.
There are approximately 89,634 people named Bailey in the UK. That makes it the 67th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,376 in a million people in Britain are named Bailey.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Bailie
- Baillie
- Bail
- Baile
- Bailes
- Baiely
- Bialey
- Baliey
- Baalawy
- Baali
- Bahlay
- Bailay
- Bailee
- Baileys
- Bailies
- Bailiey
- Bailis
- Baille
- Baillee
- Bailley
- Baillies
- Bailliew
- Baillis
- Bailly
- Bails
- Baily
- Bailye
- Bailyes
- Bailys
- Balay
- Bale
- Bales
- Baley
- Bali
- Balia
- Balice
- Balie
- Baline
- Balio
- Balis
- Ballay
- Balley
- Balli
- Ballie
- Ballis
- Bally
- Ballye
- Baloyi
- Baly
- Balys
- Baulay
- Bauley
- Bauly
- Bawley
- Bayeley
- Baylay
- Bayle
- Bayley
- Baylie
- Baylies
- Baylis
- Bayly
- Bealey
- Bealie
- Beally
- Bealy
- Beauley
- Beauly
- Beaweley
- Beayley
- Beeley
- Beely
- Beighley
- Beiley
- Beilly
- Beioley
- Belay
- Beley
- Bellay
- Belley
- Bellie
- Belloy
- Belly
- Bellyou
- Bely
- Belyea
- Beuley
- Bewlay
- Bewley
- Bewly
- Beyley
- Bialy
- Bieley
- Bielli
- Bielly
- Biely
- Biley
- Bille
- Billey
- Billy
- Bily
- Blay
- Blaya
- Blaye
- Bleay
- Bley
- Bloy
- Bloye
- Bluy
- Bly
- Blye
- Boiley
- Boily
- Boley
- Boliya
- Bolley
- Bolly
- Boly
- Bolye
- Booley
- Booly
- Bouilly
- Boulay
- Boulaye
- Bouley
- Boulley
- Boully
- Bowley
- Bowly
- Boyley
- Builey
- Bulay
- Buley
- Bulley
- Bully
- Buly
- Byley
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.