BARLEY
Barley
Barley is a surname of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "barley," which refers to the cereal grain. The name may have originated as an occupational surname for someone who grew or harvested barley.
Origins and Distribution
The surname Barley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions where barley cultivation was prominent. It is believed to have originated in the medieval period, when surnames became more fixed and hereditary.
Notable Individuals
1. Anne Barley (1902-1988): A prominent British botanist known for her research on barley genetics and breeding.
2. Henry Barley (1805-1876): A notable English farmer and agricultural innovator who made significant contributions to the cultivation of barley.
3. Sarah Barley: A fictional character in Thomas Hardy's novel "Far from the Madding Crowd," known for her strength and resilience.
Variants and Related Surnames
Variants of the surname Barley include Barle, Barlee, and Barleigh. Related surnames include Barlow (meaning "barley hill") and Barner, which may have similar occupational origins.
Legacy
The surname Barley has a rich history rooted in British agriculture and rural life. Today, individuals bearing this surname can trace their ancestry to a tradition of farming and land cultivation in the United Kingdom.
There are approximately 2,877 people named Barley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,098th most common surname in Britain. Around 44 in a million people in Britain are named Barley.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
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
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- Graham
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Christine
- Emma
- Helen
- Janet
- Jean
- Joanne
- Julie
- Laura
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Sandra
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Barelli
- Barela
- Barkley
- Bardley
- Barcley
- Bareley
- Bariley
- Barl
- Barell
- Braley
- Barle
- Barlea
- Barlay
- Barlee
- Barli
- Barlie
- Barliey
- Barlis
- Barlowe
- Barly
- Baroley
- Bauley
- Bauly
- Baurley
- Bearley
- Bearly
- Beerly
- Beirley
- Berley
- Berlie
- Berly
- Bierley
- Bierly
- Birley
- Birly
- Boreley
- Borely
- Borley
- Borly
- Bourley
- Burghley
- Burley
- Burlie
- Burly
- Burrley
- Barla
- Barlo
- Barmley
- Barnley
- Barsley
- Bartley
- Barzley
- Bayirli
- Bearl
- Beerli
- Birlay
- Borelli
- Braeley
- Brailey
- Bralley
- Brayley
- Buerley
- Burlay
- Briley
- Brolly
- Burl
- Byerley
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.