Surname Shurley - Meaning and Origin
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Shurley: What does the surname Shurley mean?
The surname Shurley is of English origin and is believed to be a locational surname, derived from the name of a place. It's said to have originated from a location in England known as Sherley or Shirley. Such location-based surnames were often given to individuals or families residing in or near a specific area or land feature. The place name Shirley itself is thought to have ancient Anglo-Saxon roots, with 'shire' meaning 'bright clearing' and 'leah' meaning 'wood or meadow'. So, the surname can metaphorically translate to "one from a bright clearing or meadow". Furthermore, surnames became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation in England, known as Poll Tax, during medieval times. It's also possible that this surname underwent various spelling modifications depending upon historical phonetics and regional dialects. Always remember that surnames have a deep historical context and could also possibly link the person to a specific trade, social status, or descriptor of an ancestor. Overall, the surname Shurley ultimately indicates a strong link to geographical origin and English heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisShurley: Where does the name Shurley come from?
The last name Shurley is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, it ranks 16,755 out of 88,799 in terms of surname popularity. Shurley's are especially prevalent in southern states, especially in Texas and Georgia. They are also quite common in parts of the Midwest, such as in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. In addition, Shurley's are fairly widespread throughout the United States.
In terms of international prevalence, Shurley is most often found in the United Kingdom, where it is the 4,656th most common surname. It is also present in smaller numbers in Ireland and Canada. Finally, it is worth mentioning that Shurley's are also found in smaller numbers in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Overall, the last name Shurley is most common in the United States and several of its neighboring countries. It is especially prevalent in the south and the Midwest and is also found in smaller numbers throughout the rest of the country and in certain other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Shurley
The surname Shurley (or Shurly) is a variant of the common surname Sherley or Shirley, with both names being used interchangeably throughout history. The surname likely began as a variation of the Norman name Surley/Surleigh, which derived from the Old French 'sur,' meaning "on" and 'lei,' meaning "meadow." It is thought to have been used to describe someone who lived on a meadow, or in other words, was a landowner.
Variations of the surname Surley/Sherley over the years have included Surle, Shurle, Shurely, Shorle, Shurley, Shurl, Surls, Sherl, Shurls, and Shirls.
Other names that appear to be related to Shurley include Shorely, Shorl, Shurrell, Shurrells, Shurell, Churley, and Charley.
In different regions, the spelling variation may appear differently than it does in other countries. For example, the United States may see this surname associated with the spelling 'Sherry,' whereas in England, the spelling is more often 'Shirley.'
In some cases, the Shurley surname may have been changed to Sherry, Sherrill, or Shirrell. In other cases, the surname may have become Sherwood, Sherbourne, Sheckley, or Shurlock.
Overall, the Shurley surname can be seen as one of the many variants of the surname Sherley or Shirley, with the older variations being Surle and Shurle. Surnames associated with the Shurleys may include Shorely, Shorl, Shurrell, Churley, Charley, Sherry, Sherrill, Shirrell, Sherwood, Sherbourne, Sheckley, and Shurlock.
Famous people with the name Shurley
- Doug Shurley: Country singer and songwriter
- Zach Shurley: Actor and producer
- Martha Shurley: Former Miss Georgia America and Miss America pageant contestant
- Frank Shurley: Professional basketball player
- Mike Shurley: Former professional baseball pitcher
- Jeff Shurley: Musician and composer
- Chris Shurley: Musician and former member of the band Gotcha
- Lee Shurley: Former professional NASCAR driver
- Brad Shurley: Professional rugby player
- Aaron Shurley: Professional football player.