SHELLEY
Shelley
Origin and Meaning
Shelley is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "sc(h)elu" meaning "clearing" or "bright meadow".
History
The Shelley surname has ancient roots in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. The name is most commonly associated with the village of Shelley in West Yorkshire, where the name likely originated. Over time, the surname spread across different regions of England.
Notable Individuals
-
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822): A renowned English poet of the Romantic age, known for his works such as "Ozymandias" and "To a Skylark".
-
Mary Shelley (1797-1851): An English novelist best known for her gothic novel "Frankenstein".
-
Joan Shelley: An American folk singer-songwriter with a keen interest in British folk traditions.
Variants
Variants of the Shelley surname include Shelly, Shellie, and Shelleigh.
Popularity
The surname Shelley remains relatively common in the United Kingdom and can also be found in other English-speaking countries.
Coat of Arms
The Shelley family has a distinct coat of arms featuring symbols such as a chevron, a griffin, and a crescent. The coat of arms signifies the family's heritage and values.
Legacy
The Shelley surname continues to be treasured by descendants and individuals across various fields, carrying on the legacy of creativity, literature, and tradition associated with this distinguished name.
There are approximately 5,717 people named Shelley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,657th most common surname in Britain. Around 88 in a million people in Britain are named Shelley.
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
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Barbara
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Joanne
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Cheeley
- Chally
- Chelli
- Chellis
- Chelley
- Cheley
- Chelly
- Challey
- Chailley
- Chaley
- Shelle
- Chelle
- Schille
- Shaley
- Shalley
- Shalli
- Shallie
- Shally
- Sheale
- Shealey
- Sheally
- Shealy
- Sheel
- Sheele
- Sheeley
- Sheell
- Sheely
- Sheill
- Shel
- Sheley
- Sheli
- Shell
- Shellie
- Shellis
- Shells
- Shelly
- Shely
- Shiell
- Shiely
- Chellay
- Sealley
- Seelley
- Sehley
- Selley
- Shale
- Shali
- Shall
- Shallis
- Shalloe
- Sheal
- Sheels
- Sheil
- Shelleh
- Shellien
- Shiells
- Shill
- Shilley
- Shireley
- Skelley
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.