Surname Cholmley - Meaning and Origin

Cholmley: What does the surname Cholmley mean?

Cholmley is an English surname believed to have come from two separate sources. The first source is likely from an area near the Cumbrian coast, where a village by the name of Chumleigh existed, which is derived from the Old Breton term "cem+legh" which roughly translates to boundary enclosure. The second source is believed to have been derived from an Old Viking name, Culblede, which roughly translates to "cold pool."

The Cholmley family has been traced back to the 12th century in England where they held a great deal of influence in the local area of Yorkshire, especially in and around Whitby. In the modern day, the name has spread to many countries around the world, and can be found with members of the British upper classes, as well as in some small towns in the United States.

The meaning behind the name can really vary depending on its source. Traditionally, the English version denotes a boundary enclosure, while the Viking version implies a cold pool. In both cases, the meaning of Cholmley is evocative, and implies a combination of strength and serenity. It could even suggest physical and mental fortitude – two qualities that have served the Cholmley family well in establishing their name throughout the centuries.

Cholmley: Where does the name Cholmley come from?

The last name Cholmley has long been associated with the English county of North Yorkshire. It is believed to have originated in the town of Whitby or one of its neighbouring villages. Today, the name is still found primarily in North Yorkshire, particularly around the coastal area of the county and its seaside town of Scarborough. There are also many Cholmleys scattered throughout England, particularly in East Anglia, with significant numbers in London and Kent.

Outside of England, notable people with the last name Cholmley have moved around the globe. The United States, for example, is home to a large proportion of Cholmleys and there are Cholmleys in Canada, Australia, and other big Anglophone nations. The surname is also increasingly turning up in other parts of Europe; for instance, there is a concentration of Cholmleys living in Switzerland.

Overall, the last name Cholmley has an incredibly strong presence throughout the English-speaking world, with North Yorkshire remaining the name’s historical homeland. As such, the name still carries a hint of the North Yorkshire coast and ancient history with each use.

Variations of the surname Cholmley

The surname Cholmley is an English patronymic surname derived from the Old Scandinavian personal name Koli, which is derived from the Old Norse elements “kol” meaning “coal” and “mundr” meaning “protection”. The surname Cholmley is also spelled as Cholmondeley, Cholmeley, Cholmely, and Cholmondley, all of which have the same origin.

Other variant spellings of the surname Cholmley include: Cholmly, Cholmlay, Cholmlye, Cholmelee, Cholmly, Cholmely, Chomly, Cholmlye, Chomley and Chomleigh.

The surname Cholmley can also be seen as part of other surnames, such as Cholmley-Tilson, Cholmeley-Unwin, Cholmeley-Harrison and Cholmley-Harvey.

In some cases, the surname Cholmley has also been Anglicized to Colville, Coulvell and Colbert. The use of these variant surnames and spellings are important when conducting genealogical research as they can help point to an individual’s family origin and source of their surname.

Famous people with the name Cholmley

• Sir Hugh Cholmley (1564–1623), English soldier
• Thomas Cholmley (c. 1589–1660), English politician
• Edward Cholmley (c. 1590–1659), English soldier
• Sir John Cholmley (1636–1708), English politician
• Sir Hugh Cholmley, 1st Baronet (1642–1725), English baronet
• Hugh Cholmley, 2nd Baron Cholmley (1678–1720), English baronet
• Sir Hugh Cholmley, 3rd Baronet (1708–1767), English baronet
• Sir Hugh Cholmley, 4th Baronet (1735–1809), English baronet
• William Cholmley (1738–1820), English priest and philanthropist
• George Cholmley (c.1776–1854), English politician
• Anne Cholmley (1817–1886), British landowner
• Edward Cholmeley (1819–1897), English clergyman
• George Cholmley (1821–1895), English barrister
• Ernest Cholmeley (1866–1926), English soldier
• Hugh Cholmeley (1893–1980), English soldier
• Lettice Cholmeley (1857–1941), English teacher
• Anthony Cholmley (1924–2016), British Army officer
• Simon Cholmeley (born 1965), British entrepreneur
• Cuthell Cholmley, English officer and soldier

Other surnames

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