Surname Corley - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: A Voyage through Time, Exploring the Depths of the 'Corley' Heritage

Venturing into the realm of genetics, I navigated my ancestral lineage with iGENEA. The experience revealed a richer, unexplored dimension to my family's surname Corley, enhancing its scope far beyond a mode of identification and tightening the bond with my kin.

S. Corley

Corley: What does the surname Corley mean?

Corley is an English surname that traces its origins back to early medieval times. It is habitational, derived from any of the various places named Corley or Corleigh, found in different regions across England. These place names are themselves derived from Old English "corf" meaning a "basket", "vehicle", or "chariot", and "leah", meaning a "wood", "clearing", or "glade". So, the literal translation of Corley could be "wood or clearing of the carts" or "glade where vehicles or baskets are made or stored". There are also theories that it may be associated with the Gaelic term 'corra', meaning spear, referring to either a soldier or an individual skilled in using this weapon. Like many surnames, interpretations can vary based on regional dialects and historical context. Over time, as people moved and families spread, the surname Corley became common in other countries like the United States, Ireland, and Australia.

Corley: Where does the name Corley come from?

The surname Corley has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic word "O Corraidh" which means "spear". It comes from the ancient Chief of Teffia, Co. Longford in Ireland. However, the name Corley was modified by British rule in Ireland, adopting an Anglicised version.

As a result of mass emigration from Ireland during the 19th and 20th centuries due the Great Famine and other economic hardships, the surname Corley has spread worldwide. It is commonly found in England, the United States and other English-speaking countries. As of the United States Census in 2000, Corley ranked as the 3,483rd most common surname in the country. In many instances, the descendants of those who carried the surname Corley during the emigration wave have continued to reside in these countries, weaving the Corley name into the fabric of these societies. Today, the surname is perhaps most prevalent in the United States given the large Irish diaspora residing there. In England, the name is less common but still fairly widespread, particularly in areas with historical Irish settlement.

Variations of the surname Corley

Corley is a surname of old Irish, English, and even Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Gaelic "O'Cadhla" which means 'graceful' or 'comely', or from old English elements, "coren" and "leah", meaning 'crane' and 'woodland clearing' respectively. Variations and spellings of Corley include Corlee, Corleigh, Corlee, Corlea, Corlie, Corli, Corlee, Corely, Corly, Corlee, and Corlie. Other variants possibly linked to the same origin include Cawley, Cowley, Carley, Caley, and Cooley, these are frequently found in Ireland and England. Additional related surnames may include Carly, Carlly, Carlie, Carleigh, and Carllee. There can even be spelling variations seen as Collie, Culley, Curely, and Kyrley. Each variant may have arisen due to regional dialects, translation between languages, or a desire for a unique spelling. It's also worth mentioning the usage of prefixes like 'O' and 'Mc/Mac' as seen in O'Corley, McCorley or MacCorley, traditionally signifying 'descendant of' in Irish and Scottish lineage.

Famous people with the name Corley

• Steve Corley: Former American football player.
• Chris Corley: American voice-over artist known for his work in film trailers.
• Kevin Corley: Well-known American author.
• David Corley: American singer and songwriter.
• Marlana Corley: Cinematographer known for her work on well-known films.
• Terrence Corley: Former professional American football player.
• Vontae Corley: Professional basketball player.
• Jean Corley: Noted American author.
• Mick Corley: Known for his work in the animation industry.
• Stephanie Corley: British soprano singer.
• Kimberly Corley: Executive director of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association.
• Malcolm Corley: A character from the LucasArts computer game Full Throttle.
• Carolyn Corley: American actress known for her work on Broadway.
• Morgan Corley: Notable dressage rider.
• Nancy Corley: Received Presidential recognition for her work in the medical field.
• Elise Corley: Known for her work in web development and digital strategies.
• Tim Corley: Well-known artist and gallerist.

Other surnames

Corlew