Surname Berley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Berley: What does the surname Berley mean?
The surname Berley is of German origin and it is believed to be derived from the personal name "Bertil," which is a combination of two Old High German words, "beran," meaning "bear," and "gila," meaning "pledge." The original bearer of this name may have been a pledge of a bear, a sign of loyalty or a supporter of the bear symbol, which is the animal of the Germanic symbol of strength and power. The name may also be a topographical name for someone living near a notable bear-shaped hill.
Berley is an uncommon surname in the United States but is more prevalent in Germany, with around one thousand people bearing the name. The largest settlements of this surname can be found in Hamburg and in Heide, where they have been documented since the 16th century. In the United States, it is mainly found in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland, and it was first established in the 19th century.
The Berley family is associated with the crest of a bear, representing the family’s name origins, embraced by a castle. The crest is emblazoned with two gold roses, representing love, respect, and unity. The family motto, "Frangas Non Flectes," is Latin for "Break not, though Bent." This reflects the strength and steadfastness of the Berley name and is an encouragement to hold firm through hardships.
The Berley family have a long and proud history and are actively dedicated to continuing the traditions that define the family name. The unique symbolism of the Berley name envelops a sense of honor, strength, and loyalty that remains steadfast throughout the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisBerley: Where does the name Berley come from?
The last name Berley is of German origin and is commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States, Canada, and throughout western Europe.
In Germany, Berley is the 24th most common last name, with over 33,000 people bearing the name. In Austria, the name ranks 18th and in Switzerland, it ranks 40th out of all surnames. There are thousands of Berleys throughout the United States, although the name ranks lower at 1,806th in terms of frequency. It's a bit more uncommon in Canada, where Berley is the 4,580th most common name, with around 1,300 people having the name.
As of 2020, the last name Berley is most prevalent in Europe, with Germany having the highest concentration. Beyond Europe and North America, there are also pockets of Berleys throughout western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina. Historically it has been found in some eastern countries in Europe, such as Poland and Hungary.
Variations of the surname Berley
The common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Berley are:
Berly, Barley, Bearly, Burley, Birlie, Birley, Burrley, Burlie, Birlie, Berrie, Bery.
Berley is a surname with English and Welsh origin. It is derived from the Old English words for barley, 'bere' and 'ley'. In the Middle Ages, the surname was used as a nickname for people who sold or grew barley. It is likely that the pronunciation of the name would have evolved as its spread from its place of origin in the south of England.
In England, the surname Berley has been found recorded in London and Wiltshire in the 13th century. Records show that in 1591 Nicholas Burley attended Oxford University, providing some of the earliest proof of the name's surname formation. In Wales, the name is found as Beryl, although contemporary usage is thought to have descended from an alternative spelling in England.
The surname is also found in various spelling variations in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In Scotland, the surname is usually spelt as Birlie, Birley, Burrley, and Burlie. In Ireland, it is often spelt as Birrie and Bery. In the United States, the name is usually spelt as Berly, Barley, Bearly, or Burley.
Overall, the variants and spellings of the surname Berley provide evidence of its popularity and spread despite geographical distance and different languages. It is an example of a name surviving centuries of changes in English spelling and pronunciation.
Famous people with the name Berley
- Max Berley: Max is a professional DJ and producer from Spain who works in the electronic music scene.
- Betty Berley: Betty is an actor best known for her role in the seminal television comedy, The Cosby Show.
- Harry Berley: Harry is a British actor who has appeared in many TV series and films, including Bridget Jones's Diary, Spooks, and Coronation Street.
- Benjamin Berley: Benjamin is a filmmaker who has directed several award-winning documentaries, including 2014's The Tree of Life.
- Stephen Berley: Stephen is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who is best known for his hit single "Beautiful."
- Gary Berley: Gary is an American screenwriter who has written scripts for the films Men in Black and Ghostbusters II.
- Princess Maria Berley: Maria is a Swedish-born royal who is the second daughter of the late King of Sweden.
- Sarah Berley: Sarah is a Canadian actress and director who has worked on many iconic television shows, including Degrassi: The Next Generation and Smallville.
- Judith Berley: Judith is a British novelist whose books include The Blue Sky and The Sweetest Dream.
- Nick Berley: Nick is an Australian actor who has appeared in many films, including The Great Gatsby and Mad Max: Fury Road.