Tooley

Tooley is a surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "tulie" or "tollen," meaning a toll-gatherer or toll-man. The surname may have been used to denote someone who collected tolls at a bridge, gate, or road. Alternatively, it could have been given to people living near a toll gate or bridge.

The name first appears in historical records in the 12th century in various forms such as "Tollay" and "Tolay." Over time, different branches of the family may have adopted variations of the name, such as "Tolley" or "Toole."

The Tooley surname has spread throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, with concentrations in regions where toll collection or similar occupations were prevalent. Notable individuals bearing the surname Tooley have made contributions to various fields, including business, academia, and the arts.

Today, the surname Tooley continues to be passed down through generations, serving as a link to the historical occupations and geographical locations associated with toll collection in England.

There are approximately 1,716 people named Tooley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,781st most common surname in Britain. Around 26 in a million people in Britain are named Tooley.

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
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Ann
  • Belinda
  • Claire
  • Eileen
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Jane
  • Karen
  • Linda
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Sandra
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

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

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