Surname Berkeley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Berkeley: What does the surname Berkeley mean?
The surname Berkeley originated from a place name in Gloucestershire, England. It is derived from the Old English words "be(o)rc," meaning birch, and "leah," meaning clearing or woodland glade. Thus, this name refers to someone who lived by a birch tree forest or a clearing filled with birch trees. The name was initially given to the lord or occupier of the Berkeley castle and estates in Gloucestershire. It has been borne by British nobility since the medieval period, most notably by the influential Berkeley family, who held the title of Earl of Berkeley. A branch of the family immigrated to America, giving their name to Berkeley County in South Carolina and Berkeley Plantation and Berkeley County in Virginia. Berkeley is also the name of a city and a prestigious university in California, which were named in honor of Anglo-Irish philosopher and bishop George Berkeley. As a surname, it's been used by notable figures in various fields, including politics, academia, arts, sports, and more.
Order DNA origin analysisBerkeley: Where does the name Berkeley come from?
The surname Berkeley originates from England. It can be traced back to a location named Berkeley, a town in Gloucestershire, England. This ancient Anglo-Saxon name was given to individual who resided near a birch tree, or by a birch wood, as "beorc" means "birch" in Old English and "leah" means "woodland clearing".
The first known recorded instance of this surname dates back to the 11th century, associated with Roger de Berkeley, the feudal lord of Dursley.
Throughout history, the name is associated with the Berkeley family of Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, which played a significant role in British aristocracy.
Today, the surname Berkeley is common in England, specifically in areas around Gloucestershire. It also remains relatively common in the United States, as well as other English-speaking countries such as Australia. It's worth noting that the city of Berkeley, California, was named after George Berkeley, an Irish Bishop, albeit the pronunciation is different.
Variations of the surname Berkeley
The surname Berkeley originates from the town of Berkeley in Gloucestershire, England. This surname has several variants including Berkley, Berkely, Barclay, Barcly, Berklee, Barkley, Barkeley, and Barcley. In some cases, it can be found spelled as Barkeleigh, Berkleigh, Berkly, or even Barkly. These variations can be attributed to regional dialects that influenced how the name was spelled over many centuries.
The surname Barclay, though sometimes associated with Berkeley, has a distinct Scottish origin and might not be a derivative of Berkeley.
The origin is Old English, derived from 'be(o)rc', meaning birch and 'leah', meaning wood or clearing; Therefore, Berkeley can mean 'birch wood' or 'birch clearing'.
Berkeley is a prominent name in American history, given to cities, colleges, and streets, primarily due to George Berkeley, the Irish bishop, and philosopher. A branch of the Berkeley family, originally from the English town, also established Berkeley Plantation in Virginia, further spreading the name's use in the US.
Note that due to the wide geographical dispersal of individuals bearing this surname, new variants might exist in different languages and regions.
Famous people with the name Berkeley
- Busby Berkeley: An influential Hollywood film director and musical choreographer, renowned for his elaborate dance routines.
- Sir Lennox Berkeley: An English composer known for his contributions to choral, vocal, and orchestral music in the mid-twentieth century.
- Elizabeth Berkeley: An American actress, known for her roles in popular TV series like "Saved by the Bell" and films like "Showgirls."
- George Berkeley: An eighteenth-century Irish philosopher whose primary philosophical achievement was the advancement of empirical idealism.
- Anthony Berkeley: An English crime writer who created the character of detective Roger Sheringham.
- Xander Berkeley: An American actor known for his television roles in "24," "The Walking Dead," and "Nikita".
- Sarah Berkeley: An American actress, best known for her appearance on MTV's "The Real World: San Diego".
- Norborne Berkeley: A colonial governor of Virginia in the years leading up to the American Revolution.
- Robert Berkeley: An English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1621 to 1622.
- Helen Berkeley: An English novelist and journalist who was nominated for the Man Booker Prize.
- George Berkeley (Bishop of Cloyne): An Anglo-Irish philosopher known for his advancement of a theory he called "immaterialism" (later referred to as "subjective idealism"). Note: Some individuals may have alternate spellings of this surname, like "Berkley" or "Berkelee."