Surname Audley - Meaning and Origin
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Audley: What does the surname Audley mean?
The surname Audley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the personal name "Aethelweard," which translates to mean "noble guardian." It is a locational name, and is derived from numerous towns and villages around England, usually spelled "Aldwych." Audleys are believed to have descended from noble families in the Middle Ages, with the Audley family seat being in Staffordshire in northern England. The first recorded spelling of the Audley surname is believed to be from Tuskar, a region in northern France. Records show that Adam and Isoble Audeley were noted in Pipe Rolls of the region in 1203.
Audleys have lived all over England since the 13th century. Notable Audleys include Sir Hugh Audley, who was MP for Arundel and served as a royal advisor to Henry III; Sir Ralph Audley, an intercessor for the House of Commons in the 15th century; and Robert Audley, a lawyer in London who served as justice of the peace.
The Audley crest is typically a lion passant regardant, which is meant to signify courage and strength. More recently the Audley name has been associated with those in the military, such as the WWI solider Thomas Audley and the WWII soldier Robert Audley.
Today, the Audley name is known in Great Britain, Ireland, other parts of the United Kingdom and the United States. It remains a distinguished Anglo-Saxon name and is not very common, although it is recognizable.
Order DNA origin analysisAudley: Where does the name Audley come from?
The last name Audley is most commonly associated with England today, although it may be found elsewhere. In England, it is particularly prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
The surname Audley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, which means it was likely established in England before the Norman conquest and before the emergence of written records. It is possible that it originated in the unrelated 'Athel' or 'Aetheling', meaning 'noble aristocracy', and could have been used as a 'byname' similar to the surnames 'Duke' and 'Earl'.
In more recent times, the Audley name (or variant spellings) can can be recognised across the world, particularly in Commonwealth countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the USA, it is more likely to take the form 'Audelia' or 'Adley'.
The Audley spelling is also found in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, France and Spain. It is thought that some families may have taken the name with them when migrating to other countries - especially if they were of Norman origin - suggesting that Audley could have originated from Normans who adopted the name while residing in England after the Norman conquest.
Overall, the Audley surname is still very recognizable across much of the world - a testament to the endurance of the Anglo-Saxon name.
Variations of the surname Audley
The surname Audley is a name of Norman origin. It is based on the Old French adel, which in modern French is spelled aude. The various spelling variants exist in many languages, including French, Dutch, Spanish, and English.
The natural English version is spelled Audley, while the Portuguese version is spelled Awdley. The German spelling is Autley, and in Dutch it's Audeley. In Spanish, it is spelled Aldea, and in French, it is spelled Audelé.
Variant spellings and surnames of Audley include Auldey, Aldai, Alday, Aulday, Aldey, Aldey, and Awdleigh. Additionally, other variant spellings include Audel, Audele, Audelay, Audeleau, Audella, and Audella.
Surnames with the same origin as Audley include Adley, Auberly, Aubrey, Audely, Audeleye, and Audelye. Other surnames with similar spellings include Adly, Alder, Aulde, and Ault.
Moreover, variants based on the name Audley are sometimes found as given names, such as Audley, Audell, Audella, Aldo, and Aude. As a consequence of the irregular spelling rules of English, the name Audley is sometimes seen spelled Oudley, Oudely, or Oulet.
Famous people with the name Audley
- Emma Audley: English actress best known for her West End theatre appearances.
- Meg Audley: American film and television actress, mostly focusing on roles in science fiction and fantasy series.
- Edward Audley: English actor best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and The White Queen.
- Tony Audley: English musician and singer who was part of The Beat and Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band.
- John Audley: an English author and journalist who wrote extensively on the geopolitics of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Joe Audley: US artist of Haitian-American descent, best known for his vibrant abstract paintings.
- William Audley: Irish stage actor of the 1800s best known for his appearances in Pirandello plays.
- Rankin Audley: British actor and voice-over artist best known for voicing Ward Phoenix in the Rogue One video game.
- Richard Audley: leading British actor known for his roles in feature films as well as stage productions. 10. Diana Audley: English actress of the 1940s, known for her appearances in London revues and musical comedies.