HARLEY

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

Harley

Harley is a prestigious British surname with noble origins. The name derives from the Old English personal name "Harla", meaning "rock" or "pile". It is believed that the surname originally referred to a person who lived near a notable rock formation or hill.

The Harley family has a long and distinguished history in England. The most notable individual bearing the surname is Sir Robert Harley, a prominent statesman and Member of Parliament during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Harley family has been associated with aristocratic titles and has held influential positions throughout British history.

Today, the surname Harley is still in use, with descendants of the original family spread across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world. The name continues to carry a sense of tradition and heritage, reflecting the family's rich historical background.

Overall, the Harley surname stands as a symbol of British heritage and nobility, embodying a legacy of prestige and influence that has endured through the centuries.

There are approximately 8,292 people named Harley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,143rd most common surname in Britain. Around 127 in a million people in Britain are named Harley.

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
James
John
Michael
Paul
Robert
Stephen
William

Female

Caroline
Elizabeth
Emma
Karen
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.