Surname Chaulmley - Meaning and Origin
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Chaulmley: What does the surname Chaulmley mean?
The last name Chaulmley is of English origin and derives from an Old French word meaning "homestead with meadows". It is thought to have been first applied to a family of early settlers in England.
The earliest records of this family indicate that they were originally seated in the area of Chawley in Buckinghamshire, England in the 12th century, during the reign of King Richard I. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, many of these early settlers were granted lands and titles by the King for their bravery and loyalty.
Chaulmley is also a variation of Chaffley, which is a more widespread English surname. It could have derived from several different sources, such as Chaffley in Devon, Chalfont in Buckinghamshire, or the Old French words for a clearing in the forest or a small road – 'Chaline' or 'Caullim'.
The traditional meanings behind the surname Chaulmley hint at its rural past, with the Chaulmley family residing in a homestead surrounded by meadows. Since its first occurrence, Chaulmley has developed into a number of variations, ranging from Chaulmly to Charley and Chalmely, acquired as it spread through England.
Order DNA origin analysisChaulmley: Where does the name Chaulmley come from?
The last name Chaulmley is not a particularly common name today but is found in a few different places around the world. Most commonly associated with people living in India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, the people bearing this surname may have descended from a family who moved there centuries ago.
Outside of South Asia, Chaulmley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales. It is likely that these families are descended from British colonists and soldiers who were posted to various outposts in South Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Chaulmley also appears to be a common last name in both Australia and New Zealand, although exact origins are unclear.
In the United States, statistics indicate that the Chaulmley name is primarily of Asian origin. Research suggests that the first Chaulmleys arrived in the US via immigration at the turn of the 20th century, but exact details are difficult to determine.
Overall, the Chaulmley name is uncommon but can be found in a few different places around the world, mostly in the former British Empire. South Asia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the US all have notable populations of American Chaulmleys.
Variations of the surname Chaulmley
The surname Chaulmley has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames that can be traced back to the same origins. These include the surnames Chalamley, Chaulmeley, Chalamleigh, Chalamlee, Cholmeley, Cholmley, Chaulmely, Chaulmelie, Chalmley, Cholmleigh, Chalamley, Cholmelee, Colmeley, Cholmely, Cholmele, Cholmly, Cholmile, Hollmley, and Shalamley.
Chaulmley is generally accepted to be a variant of the Anglo-Saxon name Colman or Colm, which was derived from a personal name meaning “dove”. This surname is believed to have originated in Lancashire and Cheshire, where it first appeared in the 12th century. It is also found with variants in Northumberland, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire.
The Chaulmley spelling is primarily found in the areas around the Cumbrian lakes and the northern Welsh borders. This spelling is believed to have arisen due to local dialects, with the ‘h’ being added due to its inclusion in the local pronunciation.
The other variants of the surname are primarily found in more southerly areas. The variant Cholmeley is thought to have originated in Oxfordshire and is most commonly found there today.
The variant Chalamley is believed to derive from the Old Norse personal name Kolmarr which translates to ‘three ravens’, and is found in Northumberland, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
The variants with variants ending in ‘lee’ are most commonly found in Shropshire and Herefordshire, and are thought to originate from an Old English name meaning ‘muddy clearing’ or ‘Welsh lea’.
Whichever variant of the surname Chaulmley is found, it is likely that they can all traced be to a common origin.
Famous people with the name Chaulmley
- Dame Joy Anne Chaulmley, DBE: Former Director-General of the Prison Service for England and Wales and the first woman to take up the post.
- Alan Chaulmley: British film and TV producer.
- Francis Chaulmley: English engineer and entrepreneur.
- Sir George Chaulmley, 3rd Baronet: British landed gentry and master of the Eryholme foxhounds from 1846 to 1863.
- Hugo Chaulmley: British Army general and holder of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
- Sir James Chaulmley: 1st Baronet of Chaulmley Tower and personal secretary to Queen Victoria.
- Sir Robert Chaulmley: 2nd Baronet of Holt-Calside House and British Member of Parliament.
- Oleana Chaulmley: British novelist.
- William Chaulmley: English soldier and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross.
- Win Chaulmley: British golf course architect.