OAKLEY
Oakley
Origin and Meaning The surname Oakley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English word 'ac' meaning 'oak tree' and 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing'. This suggests that the name likely denoted someone who lived near or in an oak wood or worked with oak trees.
Distribution The surname Oakley is found primarily in England, particularly in regions with oak tree populations. The earliest records of the surname date back to the medieval period.
Notable Bearers
- Annie Oakley (1860–1926): Famed American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter, born Phoebe Ann Mosey, who took on the stage name "Annie Oakley".
- Darren Oakley (b. 1975): Retired English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs including AFC Bournemouth and Brentford.
- Rachel Oakley (b. 1982): British author and journalist known for her works focusing on historical and cultural topics.
Variants Variants of the Oakley surname include Okeley, Oakly, Oakeley, and Ockeley.
Coat of Arms The Oakley family crest typically features symbols associated with strength, longevity, and protection, such as oak trees, shields, and lions.
Modern Significance Today, the surname Oakley continues to be fairly common in Britain and has spread to other parts of the English-speaking world. Many individuals with the surname can be found in various professions, contributing to a diverse range of fields from sports to academia.
There are approximately 14,534 people named Oakley in the UK. That makes it the 609th most common surname in Britain. Around 223 in a million people in Britain are named Oakley.
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
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Karen
- Lisa
- Louise
- Margaret
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan