Surname Morly - Meaning and Origin
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Morly: What does the surname Morly mean?
The last name Morly is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Saxon word 'muorland' meaning 'open country or moorland.' It is also related to the Old English 'mor' and 'lich', which mean 'sea' and 'town' respectively. Historically, the Morly surname may have referred to someone who lived near a moor, a sea, or a town.
Despite its Anglo-Saxon origins, the name is fairly rare in England today. It is most often associated with Dutch immigrants who adopted it as their surname after relocating to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Morly surname may also have originated from the Scandinavian name 'Morli'. This name has its origin in the Old Norse word 'mar', meaning a 'horseman' or 'guard'.
The Morly surname is a proud testament to the family's long history. This surname can be traced back to many generations of people who have held the surname 'Morly' with great admiration. The Morly family has made many important contributions to their local and national communities, both historically and today.
Order DNA origin analysisMorly: Where does the name Morly come from?
The last name Morly is most common in parts of western Europe, particularly England and western Germany. It is also quite prevalent in parts of Australia, notably in areas with ties to England, such as the states of New South Wales and Victoria. It is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe, like France, as well as the United States and Canada.
The spelling of the name can vary slightly from region to region, primarily in the UK. In England, the most popular spelling is Morley, while in Germany, it is spelt Murly.
The surname derives from the Old English words mor, or ‘marsh’, and leah, which refers to a woodland clearing. Therefore, the last name Morly essentially translates as ‘woodland clearing near the marsh’ - a reference to the area around which the first Morlys settled.
The history of the Morly family is closely linked to the history of the British Isles and spans many centuries. The earliest record of the surname is from 1188, when the name Ulfric Morle was mentioned in the Calendar of Patent Rolls.
The family is known for having produced prominent figures over the centuries, including Matthew Morley, who was elected mayor of Exeter in 1601, and Thomas Turbervill Morly, who was elected MP for Totnes in 1747.
Today, the last name Morly can still be found in many parts of the world, and is home to many proud descendants of the original family.
Variations of the surname Morly
The surname Morly is thought to be of English origins, although its exact roots are unclear. However, variants and spellings of this surname include Morley, M early, Morely, Moreley, Morlye, Morsely, Moarley, Morsley and Morrill. It is also known to have occasionally been spelled as Marley.
The surname M early appears to have originated in the West Midlands region of England. This spelling is thought to have derived from the name Maurice, meaning “dark-skinned or moorish”. It is derived from the Latin name Mauritius and was a popular name in medieval England.
The origins of the surname Morely, on the other hand, are confused. It may have derived from the Old English words 'maere' or 'mearu', meaning 'boundary' or 'living by the boundary'. It has also been suggested that the surname originated from the concurrent Morley or Morleigh, which means a 'pond or mere with enclosed pasture'.
The surname Morlye is derived from the Middle English word 'mor', which means 'moor' or 'marsh'. It is likely that Morlye was originally used to describe someone who lived near a marsh or boggy area.
The surnames Morsely and Moarley both share the same Old English origin, which refers to someone ‘who lived or worked at a moor’. It is therefore likely that individuals with the surnames Morsely and Moarley are distant relatives of one another.
Similarly, the surname Morsley is likely to have the same Old English origin as the surname Morsely and may have been used to describe someone who lived or worked at a moor.
Lastly, the surname Morrill is believed to be derived from an Old French personal name, Maurille. This name was originally derived from the Latin Maurilius, and its meaning has been interpreted as “dark-skinned” or “moorish”.
Famous people with the name Morly
- Andy Morley: English rugby league player who represented Cook Islands in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
- William Edward Morley: United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
- Fred Morley: English footballer who made 11 appearances for Football League club Northampton Town.
- Jay Morley: American politician, who was the speaker of the California State Assembly.
- Charlie Morley: English middleweight boxer who fought 13 professional fights between 1921 and 1923.
- John Morley: English statesman, writer and newspaper editor who served as Secretary of State for India.
- Hon. Lord Morley of Blackburn: Former senior government minister in the House of Lords.
- Isaac Morley: Early Latter-day Saint leader who established several towns in Utah and Nevada.
- Daisy Morley: English suffragette and trade union leader.
- Peter Morley: English journalist and author of several books including 'On This Day in Football' and 'The Real Footballers' Wives'.