As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)


Local. Derived from the manor of Bulkeley, in the County Palatine of Chester, England. A corruption of Bullock—ley, the bullock—field or pasture.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

BULKELEY. A township In Cheshire,

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.