Surname Caulley - Meaning and Origin
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Caulley: What does the surname Caulley mean?
The last name Caulley is of Old French origin and is an Anglicized form of the name Caillé derived from the word "caillé," meaning "pebble" or "cobble stone." The name is thought to have been first borne by someone who lived near a pebble or cobble grade. In the Middle Ages, names derived from a person's residence or place of origin were very common.
The name Caulley is predominantly found in The United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. In the UK and Ireland the name is primarily found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also has some presence in the US and Canada.
Those bearing the name are said to be deep thinkers and have a strong sense of justice and integrity. They are often seen as quiet but tenacious in their search for truth. They like to help others, often volunteering at charity events, believing in the value of giving back to the community.
They can be overly analytical, hardworking and sometimes overly cautious. Caulleys are adept at problem solving and strategizing, making them highly skilled at business. They are patient listeners and consensus builders, often finding themselves in positions of authority or leaders in their respective communities.
Caulley is a name of distinction and is the perfect fit for an individual who has a strong moral core, the desire to help others and an eye for the details.
Order DNA origin analysisCaulley: Where does the name Caulley come from?
The last name Caulley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. Within the UK, it is most commonly found in England, particularly in counties such as Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk, and Somerset.
Caulley is generally thought to derive from the Old English words ceorl and eage, which roughly translates to “man or peasant of the corner of land”, likely referring to a small piece of land.
In relatively modern records, the earliest mention of the surname Caulley dates back to the mid-1600s in Bodmin, Cornwall, when John Caulley is documented as a witness in the trial of William Hailes, convicted of IT theft.
Today, the Caulley name is still seen all over the South West and East Anglia of England, especially in counties such as Norfolk and Cornwall. The name is widely dispersed throughout the South West due to gradual migration throughout the years.
There is also a strong presence of this surname in Liverpool, England, likely due to the vast number people travelling there from the South West in search of work or a better life during the Victorian period and more recently.
Despite being mainly concentrated in the UK, the surname Caulley can also be found in other countries such as New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. All of this points to a long and colourful history of the family name on a global scale.
Variations of the surname Caulley
The surname Caulley, derived from the Old English elements cealu, meaning ‘dweller in the corner of a field’, has a variety of interesting variants found throughout Europe and North America.
In England, Caulley is commonly seen as Cauley, Cawley, Colley, Cooley, or Calley. In Scotland, forms of Caulley include Callie, Callose, Colle, Cowle, and Coole. Irish equivalents of the name include Caolaidhe, Caollai, Callai, Callee, and Coleay.
In North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, various spellings of Caulley can be seen, such as Colli, Collia, Collier, Cawley, Collyer, Colville, Callaway, and Colly. In addition, different versions and respellings of Caulley, such as Cowell and Collie, are also commonly seen.
In other parts of the world, variants such as Cauley, Cawlie, and Coulais may be encountered. Moreover, the surname also appears as a cognate of other surnames with similar spellings, such as Coulon, Collyer, and Collew.
All of these surnames originated from the same Old English roots and, though they may not always be spelled the same way, are related derivations of each other and carry the same meaning.
Famous people with the name Caulley
- Addison Caulley: Actor who had a starring role in the film 'The Standoff' (2016).
- Talib Kweli Caulley: American hip-hop artist, also known as Talib Kweli.
- Ken Caulley: Former professional basketball player who appeared in six NBA seasons.
- Dave Caulley: English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs such as Bradford City and Bangor City.
- Neal Caulley: Soccer player from England who captained the Northern Ireland national team from 1979 to 1981.
- Bill Caulley: American former college basketball coach who led the Minnesota Golden Gophers to three consecutive conference championships.
- Brad Caulley: Canadian composer and conductor.
- Richard Caulley: British World War I soldier who was one of two people in the British Empire to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice.
- William Caulley: Former British Royal Naval Commander who was one of the two main plots in a mutiny on board the HMS Nymph in 1797.
- Karen Caulley: English actress best known for her roles in British TV series such as Coronation Street, Holby City and Doctors.