Surname Sherley - Meaning and Origin
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Sherley: What does the surname Sherley mean?
The surname Sherley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from a geographic locality. It is believed to mean "bright clearing" or "bright meadow" in Old English. It's a compound of two elements: "scir," which means "bright" or "light," and "leah," which means "wood," "clearing," or "meadow." This surname was likely given to individuals who lived near or worked on a bright clearing or meadow. Like many other surnames that originated from a place-name, Sherley would have been used to identify where an individual was from, especially if they moved to a new area. Over time, however, it simply became inherited from one generation to the next, losing its original geographic significance. There are several places across England named Shirley, from which the surname could have originated, including in Derbyshire, Southampton, and the West Midlands. As per the norm, the surname has several spelling variations, including Shirley, Shurley, and Shirely, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisSherley: Where does the name Sherley come from?
The last name Sherley can be found in modern day populations across North America, Europe, and Asia. In recent years, it has become more common in North America, particularly in the United States where it can be found in parts of the southern and midwestern regions. It is also found in pockets of the west coast and in the northeast.
In Europe, the last name is more commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Germany. In Asia, it's found primarily in India, where the majority of the population originate from British India.
The Sherley surname is not exclusively found in any one particular country or region, though it does tend to appear more frequently in areas of the United States and the United Kingdom. While it is not overwhelmingly common, the last name does have a significant presence in modern day populations.
Variations of the surname Sherley
Sherley is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old French words "sher," meaning "bright," and "lei" meaning "meadow." It may be spelled in a variety of ways, including Sheriff, Sherly, Sherlye, Sherely, Sherriff, Sherrill, Sherrille, Sherrilli, Shurley, and Shurly.
In England, Sherley has been recorded mainly in Essex, Suffolk, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire counties. In the United States, it has been recorded in many states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Sherley is uncommon but variants such as Sherely and Sherriff are more common. Sometimes the spelling may be confused with the similar sounding surname Shirley.
The distinct Nottinghamshire surname Sheringham is likely derived from Sherley, brought to England by the Normans in 1066. Beilby is another surname derived from Sherley, named after Sherriff of York, Sir Thomas de Belbier.
Sherley is not a common name, but its variants may be found in a variety of places in the world. As a result of this geographical dispersal, other surnames of similar sounds such as Shirley, Shearly, Shearman, or fearley may have been adopted over time.
Regardless of the spellings, all of the variants of the Sherley surname can be traced back to the same English origin.
Famous people with the name Sherley
- Julie Andrews (née Sherrly): The celebrated English actress and singer, best known for her roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.
- Mark Sherley: Actor and former stand-up comedian, also known for his roles in Smallfoot and National Lampoon’s Vacation.
- Ingmar Bergman (née Sherley): The late renowned director and screenwriter of award-winning Swedish films, such as The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, and Scenes from a Marriage.
- Will Sherley: English theatre and television actor, best known for his roles in Coronation Street and The Crown.
- Hugo Sherley-Price: British actor, most famous for his performance in the Film Noir mystery, “Victim” from 1961.
- Langston Sherley: American jazz guitarist, best known for his collaborations with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Thelonious Monk.
- Christopher Sherley: American actor and producer, most famous for his roles in Al Capp (1995) and Oh No! Not The Bomb! (2010).
- William C. Sherley: The late American museum curator and zoology specialist, known for his work with the Smithsonian Institute.
- Dan Sherley: British broadcaster, journalist and author, best known for his television documentaries in the 1980s.
- Robert W. Sherley: American broadcaster, famed for his work as a disc jockey at various FM stations in the 1960s.