Surname Stailey - Meaning and Origin

Stailey: What does the surname Stailey mean?

The last name Stailey is of English origin and it is an occupational name derived from the Old English word "stael", which refers to a lieu or dwelling. It was likely first used as a surname to identify someone who lived in a steelie house. This could be a house made with steel or a house where a steelsmith lived.

This name is found primarily in England and Scotland; however, bearers of the Stailey surname have also spread to the United States, Australia, and Canada as a result of immigration.

The name Stailey is unique and has many variations such as Staley, Staly, Stalee, Stealey, Steelie, and Steilie. It is believed that Stailey is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac an Stail, which translates to "son of the dweller".

Overall, the Stailey surname has been linked to those who spent time in stonemasonry and metal work and may have been a way of identifying skilled craftsmen. Early records of the name date back to the mid-14th century and by the 19th century, Stailey had become an established name in England.

Stailey: Where does the name Stailey come from?

The last name Stailey is most likely of English origin. There are some Scottish, Irish, and Germanic variants and extends with slight differences. It is thought to derive from the Middle English words “stal” or “stay” meaning “stronghold” or “firm”.

Today, there are many people with the last name Stailey, mostly living throughout the United States. According to the US Census Bureau 2020 data, the two states with the most Staileys are Pennsylvania and New Jersey, both with about 1,000 and 500 people, respectively. In this same data, the ratio of Staileys to the whole population of the United States is about 0.00014%.

The last name can also be found in other countries around the world. In England, the first Stailey seems to have resided in Scotland in 1650. In Australia, there are about 400 people with the last name Stailey, mostly living in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

The name generally is evolving and diminishing throughout the world, but the original name is still seen in some places with the same spelling. It is estimated that worldwide, there are about 2,500 people with the last name Stailey.

Variations of the surname Stailey

The surname Stailey can have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Staley, Staly, Stailey, Stayley, Stealey, Steely and Steeley.

Stailey is derived from a Middle English place name, and is thought to be derived from Old English staegl, meaning 'stable'. It is likely that Stailey was a topographic name for someone who lived near a stable. It was also likely used as an occupational name for someone who worked as a groom for a stable.

The variants and spellings of Stailey also have the same origin, with Staley, Staly, Stayley and Stealey all deriving from the same root. Steely and Steeley are also related, deriving from an Old English word for iron or steel.

The modern surname Stailey is mostly common in the United Kingdom, particularly in England, as well as in Ireland, the United States and Canada. In Scotland, the variants Staley and Stailey are both among the forty most common surnames.

In conclusion, the surname Stailey can have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin including Staley, Staly, Stayley, Stealey, Steely and Steeley. These are all likely derived from Middle English place names, which themselves are derived from Old English words for stable, iron or steel. The surname is commonly found in the UK, Ireland, the US and Canada.

Famous people with the name Stailey

• Alex Stailey: A British entrant for Eurovision 2012 who founded a production company, Artbeatz. He later released two albums, Suburban Movement and Human.
• Gerald Stailey: An Australian actor who had a career in television, film, and theatre work. He is best known for roles in Mad Max and Crocodile Dundee.
• Jason Stailey: An American rapper and composer from New York, who has released multiple albums, including Brooklyn's Ruler and Wins Again.
• Max Stailey: An American former basketball player, who played for the University of Cincinnati before a brief professional career for the Detroit Spirits in the ABA.
• Timothy Stailey: A New Zealand cricket coach and former New Zealand representative cricketer.
• Westley Stailey: An English goalkeeper who has had an extensive career, playing for multiple clubs in the non-league English football leagues.
• Whitney Stailey: A Canadian actress best known for her roles in the television series Wynonna Earp and Continuum.

Other surnames

StailStaill