Surname Tooley - Meaning and Origin

Tooley: What does the surname Tooley mean?

The last name "Tooley" is of English origin and is considered a topographic surname, derived from a specific geographical or physical feature of a place. From the Old English words "toll" and "leah," Tooley is believed to mean "clearing in a forest where taxes are collected." The term "toll" refers to a tax or fee imposed for some types of transactions, often related to commerce or travel. The term "leah," refers to a woodland, glade or a clearing. This surname was most likely given to individuals living near such a location or responsible for the collection of such taxes. However, over generations, the surname has carried on regardless of the occupation or location of the person bearing it. Please note that spelling variations for this surname include: Tolley, Tolly, Tollie among others.

Tooley: Where does the name Tooley come from?

The last name Tooley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It is an enduringly popular name, especially in regions such as the Midlands and the South West. However, the name is also found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In 2019, Tooley was ranked as the 585th most popular name for boys in the United States. Tooley is also sometimes used as a first name, having been in the top 1,000 most popular first names for girls in the United States for several years.

The meaning of the name is thought to be derived from a location in the English county of Sussex. It is also thought to be related to word varieties such as Tool and Tule, which were used to refer to a person of humble origin.

The Tooley name has a long and varied history. There are records of the Tooley family name in Britain from the 12th century and it was one of the first surnames to appear in the country. It can be found in early records around the time of the Norman Conquest and there are references to people with the Tooley surname in documents from as early as 1273.

Today, many people with the Tooley surname trace their heritage back to this part of England, although the name is now internationally widespread.

Variations of the surname Tooley

The Tooley surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Tolley, Toly, Tolle, Twelley, Twily, Tule, Toole, Tooly, Tullie, Twillie, and Towle.

The Tooley surname was most likely derived from a place name. This type of surname was developed when people began to adopt the name of the place they lived, were born, worked, or owned land. The place name could have referred to a stream, a farm, a bridge, or a field. It could also have referred to a local landmark that was clearly visible nearby.

The first recorded spelling of the Tooley surname was in 1220 in Somerset, England. It was recorded as “Tuli” in the Curia Regis Rolls of that county. This spelled form was adopted as the standard spelling, making Tooley the earliest recorded spelling variant.

Since that time, the Tooley surname has spread across Europe. Variants such as Tolley, Tuly, Tully, Tately, Toely, Towly, and Twitty were derived from the original form as families migrated to different countries. Spellings in some areas even changed due to dialect and language barriers. For example, the surname often became “Talloy” in Ireland, and “Tournier” in France.

Due to the various spellings of the Tooley surname, it is impossible to determine exactly how many people today share the same origin. Despite the variations, one thing is for sure, the Tooley surname has stood the test of time.

Famous people with the name Tooley

• Tom Tooley: professional boxer from Stockport
• Mark Tooley: president of the Institute on Religion & Democracy in Washington DC
• Sasha Tooley: British entrepreneur and investor
• John Tooley: opera director, lecturer, historian and author
• Brayden Tooley: professional football player for the Los Angeles Chargers
• Bill Tooley: former president and CEO of AT&T
• Claire Tooley: American politician
• Nicky Tooley: former member of the House of Lords
• Dan Tooley: co-founder of startup Studio Gusto
• Gemma Tooley: actress known for Oliver, Prince Among Men, and Gold Dust

Other surnames

Toole