Duley

Duley is a British surname of possible Old English origin. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dol", meaning "dull" or "stupid", and "ley", which referred to a meadow or clearing. The name may have been originally bestowed as a nickname for someone perceived as slow-witted or dull, or may have referred to a location where the family resided.

The Duley surname is not particularly common in the UK, with only a few hundred individuals bearing the name today. The distribution of the name historically shows concentrations in various regions across England, particularly in the West Midlands and East Anglia.

Individuals with the surname Duley have been noted in various records and historical documents, including census records, parish registers, and military archives. The name has also been found in local records of different counties throughout England.

As with many surnames, the Duley name may have undergone variations in spelling over the centuries, such as Dooley, Dooley, and Dule, among others. Different branches of the Duley family may have adopted different spellings of the surname over time.

Overall, the Duley surname represents a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames, each with its own unique history and connection to the people who bear it.

There are approximately 315 people named Duley in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named Duley.

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

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Edward
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert

Female

  • Barbara
  • Carol
  • Denise
  • Edith
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jane
  • Julie
  • Margaret
  • Michelle
  • Pamela
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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