Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
ROWLEY
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Sax. Local) From Row, sweet or pleasant, and ley, a field.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
I ROWLEY. The family claim to be of Saxon blood, but the name is traced only to temp. Edward II., when Randolph de Rowley was seated at Carmichan, co. Chester. Lord Langford's family settled in Ireland, temp. James I. There are parishes of Rowley iii Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
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