TUNNINGLEY
Tunningley
Tunningley is a surname of English origin that can be traced back to the early medieval period. The surname is believed to be locational, originating from a place name. The name is derived from the Old English words "tun," meaning an enclosure or a settlement, and "leah," meaning a clearing in the woods. Hence, Tunningley likely referred to a settlement in a wooded area.
Over the centuries, the surname Tunningley has seen variations in spelling, including Tuningley, Tuninglie, and Tunilay, among others. This variability is typical of surnames that have ancient roots, as spelling was not standardized until more recent times.
Like many British surnames, Tunningley may have been adopted for a variety of reasons, such as to distinguish different branches of a family, identify an individual's occupation or social status, or denote the place from which they hailed. Consequently, individuals bearing the surname Tunningley may not necessarily be directly related despite sharing the same surname.
The distribution of the surname Tunningley shows a historical concentration in certain regions of England, particularly in areas with a strong Anglo-Saxon heritage. Today, the surname Tunningley is relatively rare, with only a small number of individuals bearing this name, making it a distinctive and unique surname within the British population.
There are approximately 160 people named Tunningley in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Tunningley.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Adam
- Andrew
- Barry
- Christopher
- John
- Nigel
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- Terence
- Terry
Female
- Alexandra
- Carolyn
- Diane
- Estelle
- Jacqueline
- Julie
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sara
- Stacey
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.