Surname Nayler - Meaning and Origin

Nayler: What does the surname Nayler mean?

The surname Nayler is of English origin, derived from the Middle English term "naylere," which means a maker of nails. The surname is occupational, referring to the trade or work done by the first person who carried the name. This form of surname was common in England as early as the 13th century, typically used when sons would inherit their father's occupation and thus, their name as well. This implies that early bearers of the Nayler surname likely had ancestors who were craftsmen, particularly those who specialized in making nails. The surname has different variations including Nailer, Nayler, and Naylere. Like many other English occupational surnames, the name Nayler is quite common and can be found in many English-speaking countries around the world. Today, it continues to connect families with their ancestral professional pursuits.

Nayler: Where does the name Nayler come from?

The last name Nayler is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. Records from the 1881 UK census shows that there were 1115 individuals with the Nayler surname at that time, around 0.01% of the population of England and Wales. The highest concentrations of the name were found in the present-day counties of Northumberland (which account for 39% of the population with the surname) and Lancashire (12%).

Today, the Nayler name is still present in parts of the UK, although the numbers have decreased. In the 2011 UK Census, the most recent to date, just 476 people registered with the surname. Although this is a significant drop, Nayler remains among the top 10,000 most common last names in Britain today.

The Nayler name is also found in other countries around the world, including Australia, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, there are 1,711 individuals with the name, mainly in Ohio, California and New York. Similarly, in Canada, there are 1,076 individuals, mostly concentrated in Alberta and British Columbia.

The surname is of Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Olde English words “Nægl,” which means “scion of a new dynasty,” and “leah,” which was a common place name in the area. Thus, Nayler would have been a person who originated from an area of new development.

Variations of the surname Nayler

The surname Nayler has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variants of Nayler are Naylor, Neaiuner, Naillor, Nailer, Nailer, Nayller, Naylar, Nailyer, Nailor, Nailur, Nailour, Nailar, Neylar, Nayler, Nayllyar, and Nailour.

The origins of the surname Nayler remain unknown but it is thought to be of English descent. It is believed to be derived from Neill, which was the Old English word for 'champion', or from Neill and hlaew which translates to 'hill'. It may also be derived from Newell, which is an Old English word for newcomer or Neju, which was a New Testament-era Greek word for 'lad'.

Nayler was used as a given name as well as a surname during the Middle Ages. Its spellings during this time may include Nayle, Naile, Nalsky, Najle, Nele, Neallah, Neilll, and Nayll.

Other surnames of the same origin as Nayler include Newall, Nailer, Newell, Neill, Neale, Newberry, Noell, Nowell, and Nellis.

The increasing popularity of the surname Nayler during the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, was likely influenced by the Scottish variant of the name, which was spelled MacNayler or McNayler.

Famous people with the name Nayler

• John Nayler (1910-1981): a British Anglican theologian.
• Kitty Nayler (1908-1978): an English actress who performed in numerous stage and film roles spanning over 60 years.
• Thomas Nayler (1822: 1893) a British politician who served in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1885.
• Brian Nayler (1953-2009): a British theatre director and producer, known for his contribution to experimental theatre.
• Laurence Nayler (1943-2010): a British actor who appeared in films such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue, Betty Blue and Crossroads.
• David Nayler (born 1960): a British actor, director and musician.
• Emma Laura Alice Nayler (born 1978): an English television presenter, singer-songwriter, and author.
• Simon Nayler (born 1986): an English songwriter, singer and musician.
• Robert Nayler (1890-1972): a British cricketer who played for Essex in 1922.
• Charles Nayler (born 1893): an English cricket player who made 81 first-class appearances.

Other surnames

Nayle