Surname Shamley. - Meaning and Origin

Shamley.: What does the surname Shamley. mean?

The surname Shamley is of British origin, and is most likely derived from the Middle English personal name “Sham” (Modern English “Sam”) combined with the suffix “-ley”. The suffix “-ley” would indicate that the name originated from a place, such as a field, meadow, or forest clearing. The name may have originally been used to identify someone from a particular area, though the exact origin of the name is uncertain.

The earliest record of the surname is in the 1187 Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire, in which one Eleemosinus de Shamelai is mentioned. The earliest documented example of a “Shamley” appears to be that of a John Shamley, who was recorded in 1339 in the Poll Tax Returns of Bedfordshire. Other records of the name have been found in London Church Records in 1662, and in Parish Register records of Warwick from 1679.

The surname Shamley is still relatively uncommon in the UK today, although the name remains in use in some parts of England and Scotland. Indications are that most modern Shamley families are distantly related, with origins tracing back to London and the East Midlands several centuries ago.

Shamley.: Where does the name Shamley. come from?

The last name Shamley is a rare surname today. It is most commonly found in areas of Britain such as the West Midlands, Yorkshire and East Sussex, where the first known occurrences of the name originate. There is also a small presence of Shamleys further afield, with occurrences in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The origins of the name trace to Olde English, and point to settlement in the areas mentioned in a long time past - likely in the late Middle Ages. According to records, the earliest occurrence of the Shamley surname was in the 11th century in the West Midlands, where it is still present today. The name could have several possible meanings depending on the context: 'sham' or ess' (homestead or estate) plus 'ley' (woodland or clearing).

It is not a particularly common surname, and its usage has waned in recent centuries. It is thought that the prevalence of the name was impacted by the migrations and demographic changes of the industrial revolution, but it is still present today in the areas it has been traditionally associated. Those bearing the name will find communities fractured by the industrialisation and migrations of the past, but they will be sure to have a tie to the rich history and traditions of centuries past.

Variations of the surname Shamley.

The surname Shamley is of English origin. There are a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this surname.

Variants

Shamley, Shamlee, Shamly, Shambly, Shamblye, Shumley, Shumly, Schamley

Spellings

Shamley, Shambly, Shumly

Surnames

Chamsley, Challinsley, Samlee, Samley, Samly, Sammly, Shammley, Shamsley, Shamsly, Shamy, Shomly, Shumlee, Shummly, Sommley

The most common variants are Shamley, Shamlee, Shamly, Shambly, and Shamblye. The most common spellings are Shamley and Shambly. The most common surnames of the same origin are Chamsley, Challinsley, Samlee, Samley, Samly, Sammly, Shammley, Shamsley, Shamsly, Shamy, Shomly, Shumlee, Shummly, and Sommley.

The origin of the name may be from multiple sources. For example, the Old English elements “scamel” and “leah” meaning “enclosed meadow.” Additionally, it may also be derived from a pet form of the name Samuel.

Famous people with the name Shamley.

• Ben Shamley: Actor in the Netflix movie 'Booksmart'.
• Chaz Shamley: Professional TV presenter on the magazine show Entertainment Tonight.
• John Shamley: Famous realtor and owner of the Shamley Group.
• Scott Shamley: Emmy-winning music producer, famous for producing albums of famous Latin and pop artists.
• Alice Shamley: Singer, actress and winner of several British Music Awards.
• Mark Shamley: Actor and writer, best known for the hit show 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'.
• Jimmy Shamley: Professional wrestler, winner of several World Wrestling Federation tournaments.
• Scarlet Shamley: Award-winning director of feature films and documentaries
• Emma Shamley: Singer and winner of two MTV Music Awards.
• Danny Shamley: Winner of several Grammys and Latin Music Awards, known for his innovative approach to producing music.

Other surnames

Shamlee