HANLEY

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Hanley

Hanley is an English surname of toponymic origin, deriving from several places in England with the name "Hanley". The most notable of these is Hanley in Staffordshire, which is now part of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The name "Hanley" itself is believed to have originated from the Old English words "haen" meaning cock or chicken, and "leah" meaning wood or clearing, thus referring to a place where cockerels may have been kept.

The surname Hanley is widely distributed across the United Kingdom and particularly in the West Midlands region, with significant concentrations in Staffordshire, Birmingham, and surrounding areas. The name has also spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, through immigration and migration.

Famous bearers of the surname Hanley include the Victorian painter James Hanley and the American author Stefan Hanley, demonstrating the diverse talents associated with this surname.

Overall, the surname Hanley reflects a rich history of English toponymy and a legacy of individuals who have contributed to various fields of endeavour.

There are approximately 6,947 people named Hanley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,356th most common surname in Britain. Around 107 in a million people in Britain are named Hanley.

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

Christopher
David
James
John
Mark
Michael
Paul
Robert
Stephen
Thomas

Female

Catherine
Elizabeth
Emma
Karen
Linda
Margaret
Mary
Michelle
Nicola
Patricia
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

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