Surname Bossley - Meaning and Origin

Bossley: What does the surname Bossley mean?

The surname Bossley is of French origins and has ancient roots. It is believed to have been derived from the name ‘Boschille’, which is derived from the occupational name ‘Bossu’, meaning ‘one who is hump-backed, or thick-set’.

The surname Bossley is linked to a number of celebrated families across Europe. One of the most notable and distinguished is the Bossleys of Great Britain, whose lineages have been traced back to William The Conqueror and the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The Bossley name is steeped in military tradition, with a record of service stretching back centuries. Colonel Charles Bossley of Staffordshire, England was a celebrated veteran of the Seven Years War and was one of the first to receive the award of the Order Of Bath in 1759.

Today, the Bossley name has spread to all four corners of the Globe. With individuals from many countries and cultures, it is no surprise that the name Bossley has been used in many ways. From those who are pursuing a path in the military, to those who are involved in business, art, sciences and much more.

The Bossley name has permeated through generations and is now celebrated all over the world as a symbol of strength, honour and tradition.

Bossley: Where does the name Bossley come from?

The last name Bossley is most commonly found in England. Data from the 2020 UK Census shows that Bossley is a relatively rare surname, having only the 425th most popular name. In 2020, almost a third of people bearing the Bossley surname (301 individual respondents out of a total of 983) were located in the city and county of London. Outside of London, the Bossley surname is seen in higher numbers in towns and cities such as Essex, Essex, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, and Shropshire.

The name Bossley can trace its origins to a small hamlet of the same name located in Buckinghamshire, England. The hamlet is situated west of the River Thames, and has been inhabited since at least the 12th century. It is believed that the Bossley name originated as a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon words 'bos' meaning 'bog' and 'leah' meaning 'wood' or 'clearing'. Bossley is no longer an independently-populated hamlet, but many of the trees present during its heyday remain in the surrounding landscape. The general area retains a sense of history, and the last name Bossley is still associated with relatives and their descendants in Buckinghamshire and beyond.

Variations of the surname Bossley

Bossley is a surname of English origin that has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The base name is Bossley. Variants of this name include Bossly, Bossleye, Bosly, Bosley, Boslye, Boslee, Bosely, and Boselee.

The spellings of the Bossley surname are also varied. Common spellings for this surname include Bossly, Bossey, Boseley, and Bosely. Abnormal spellings of this surname are Bossleya, Boslee, and Bohsly.

In some cases, the Bossley surname has been anglicized into other surnames, sometimes due to immigration or through adoption. Various English surnames such as Boughley, Bowley, Bowles, Boles, and Bouls can all have their roots in the Bossley surname.

The Bossley surname has various geographic distributions. In the United Kingdom, the most common distribution is in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. Worldwide, the Bossley surname is found at a greater frequency in the United States, Canada, and most especially, Australia.

In general, Bossley is an uncommon surname. However, there have been some notable people with the Bossley name such as the English footballer, Paul Bossley, and the Australian cricketer, Scott Bossley. Additionally, Jack Bossley was a popular character in the Australian children's television show, The Elephant Princess.

Famous people with the name Bossley

• Tim Bossley: Forbes 30 Under 30 New Entrepreneurs and Money Magazine Feature Rising Business Talent.
• Michael Bossley: Canadian Entrepreneur, Radio Host, Finalist for Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
• Craig Bossley: British Comedian and Actor, Known for Channel 4’s The IT Crowd.
• Sean Bossley: Former Professional NFL Player, Spent his Career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.
• John Bossley: Former British Politician, Represented the Labour Party in the House of Commons from 2001 to 2010.
• Ben Bossley: British YouTuber and Social Media Personality, Known For His Content Featuring Gaming and Technology.
• Bobby Bossley: American Actor and Comedian, Starred in the TV Series Under the Dome.
• Harriet Bossley: British Playwright and Theatre Director, Won the Henley Festival Award for Best Play.
• Ginny Bossley: American Paralympic Swimmer, Competed in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Paralympic Games.
• George Bossley: British Olympian, Represented England in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Rugby.

Other surnames

BosslerBosslet