Surname Litley - Meaning and Origin

Litley: What does the surname Litley mean?

The last name Litley is of English origin. It is believed to have originated as a habitational name, derived from any of several places named with the Olde English pre 7th Century words "lida" and "leah," meaning "woodland clearing."

The surname was first found in Devon and Yorkshire in early records. Early forms of the surname include Letley, Lateley, and Lately. Members of the Litley family were first found in Yorkshire holding a family seat from ancient times.

The Litley family is one that is proud of its English roots and is proud of its accomplishments throughout history. It is believed that the family are descendants of the original Viking marauder, Rollo, a leader of the Norman Conquest.

The Litley surname is associated with the spirit of adventure and adventure has been a feature of the family through the centuries. Litley family members have distinguished themselves in battle, exploration, settlement and industry, contributing to their family's legacy in English history.

The Litley family are known for their courage and loyalty, qualities that have served them well through their many trials and tribulations throughout the centuries. Today, the Litley family continues to focus on its heritage with great pride and has a presence in many places all around the world.

Litley: Where does the name Litley come from?

The last name Litley is generally considered to be of English and/or Irish origin. It is a relatively uncommon surname both in Britain and Ireland and still quite rare in the U.S. and Canada today.

The name is especially common in certain areas of Wales and the south and west of England. The upland areas of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Shropshire in the English West Midlands were all hotspots for both the Anglicized form of the name and its Welsh-language variation ‘Liddel’ in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In modern times, the last name Litley is more commonly found in the United Kingdom than elsewhere. In England, the greatest concentration of this surname is in the Midlands region, where it was most popular in the 19th century. However, it can still be found in small pockets all over the country, with some found in the city of London.

The name is considerably rarer in the United States. According to the United States Census bureau, as of 2019 the last name Litley was only found in a dozen or so states across the country, mostly concentrated in the eastern and central regions. Canada, similarly, has only a few pocket populations of Litleys in various provinces.

Overall, Litley is still a relatively rare surname, both in the U.S. and in the U.K. However, in parts of Wales, England, and the surrounding regions, the last name is still somewhat common.

Variations of the surname Litley

The surname Litley is of British origin and derives from the Middle English masculine given name Lilte or Lytel, the Norman French diminutive form of the name “Ludovic”. Other variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin include:

Lightley: This is the most common spelling of the surname Litley. It is derived from an Anglicisation of the Middle English name Lytel.

Littell: This is a variant of the surname Lightley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Litell: Another variant of the surname Lightley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Littel: This is a variant of the surname Lightley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Little: This is the most common variation of the surname Litley. It is derived from an Anglicisation of the Middle English name Lytel.

Luttly: This is a variant of the surname Litley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Lytle: This is a variant of the surname Litley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Littelwood: This is another variant of the surname Litley. It is derived from a Middle English phrase meaning “little wood”.

Lytelwood: This is a variant of the surname Litley. It is derived from a Middle English phrase meaning “little wood”.

Lutley: This is a variant of the surname Litley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Litly: This is a variant of the surname Litley. It is derived from the Middle English name Lytel.

Famous people with the name Litley

• Maureen Litley: British singer-songwriter whose career spanned five decades and included a string of top-ten charting singles in the 1960s and 70s.
• Greg Litley: former Major League pitcher who played for the Florida Marlins from 2005-2009.
• Alison Litley: British actress who performed in a number of stage productions, as well as television series and films throughout her career.
• Sir Peter Litley: British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Huddersfield between 1997-2010.
• Christopher Litley: English cricketer who played two first-class matches for Gloucestershire in 1967.
• Frederick Litley: British sculptor and painter, best known for his portrait busts of eminent people from politics, religion, and the arts, as well as his animals sculptures.
• Harriet Litley: British teacher and campaigner for better education for girls, who served as the headmistress of St David's College for girls from 1885 until her retirement in 1900.
• Robert Litley: British painter and printmaker who is most well-known for his landscape and portrait paintings.
• John Litley: British long jumper who represented Great Britain at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.
• William John Litley: Indian soldier and recipient of the Indian Order of Merit for his service in World War II.

Other surnames

Litle