BODLEY
Bodley
The surname Bodley is of English origin, deriving from the Old English personal name "Boda," meaning a herald or messenger, with the addition of the Old English "leah," meaning a clearing. The name Bodley thus likely originally referred to someone who lived in a settlement or clearing belonging to or associated with Boda.
The Bodley surname is most commonly found in the West Country region of England, particularly in Devon and Somerset. One of the most famous bearers of the Bodley name was Sir Thomas Bodley (1545–1613), an influential diplomat and scholar who founded the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford.
Over the centuries, variants of the Bodley surname have emerged, including Bodeley, Bodleigh, and Bodly. The Bodley name has been passed down through generations, and many individuals with this surname have made significant contributions to various fields such as literature, academia, and business.
The Bodley surname carries with it a sense of heritage and tradition, reflecting the rich history of the British Isles.
There are approximately 500 people named Bodley in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named Bodley.
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
- Christopher
- David
- Ian
- John
- Kevin
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Simon
Female
- Clare
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gemma
- Gillian
- Hannah
- Jane
- Janet
- Katherine
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Samantha
- Sarah
- Susan