Surname Cogely - Meaning and Origin

Cogely: What does the surname Cogely mean?

The last name Cogely is generally thought to have English and Irish origins, although it is uncertain which of the two. It is believed that this unique surname originally began as a nickname for people who were rough or prickly.

The surname Cogely is variant of the name 'Cogley', derived from the Old English word 'coge' meaning to hedge, or to confine by small obstacles, such as a fence, wall or hedge. This could be in reference to the individual working as an agriculturist, such as a fencer or hedger, or from a worker in a holly hedge, a thorny shrub used in medieval times to make fences or boundaries.

Some suggest that Cogely could be derived from the Old English words 'coh' or 'coc', meaning a hill or a hillock, which could point to an ancestor who lived in the vicinity of a rounded hill. It is also possible that it may be derived from the Irish surname Coigly, which is pronounced 'ko-glee', meaning a son of the brave one.

Regardless of what the exact origin of the name is, it is certain that it has been a part of many people's family trees for centuries. The Cogelys of today can be proud of their unique heritage and can take comfort in the fact that they share a common name that has been passed down through generations.

Cogely: Where does the name Cogely come from?

The last name Cogely is most common in the United States and Canada today. According to Ancestry.com, in 2019 there were 420 people in the United States with the last name Cogely. The majority of these people are concentrated in the Midwest, mainly in the states of Illinois and Ohio. It is more rare to find outside of North America, although it does still crop up in nations with significant populations of those with British/Irish heritage, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

In terms of its etymology, there is some debate as to its origin. Some theorize that it is derived from a Norman name with a variety of spellings including Cokeley, Cogely, Cogelee, and Cougley, while others believe that it might be of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic expression "coigealach", meaning "excluding from benevolence".

The last name Cogely is also present in varying forms throughout Canadian provinces. Statistics Canada had identified 4 Cogelys in the 2016 census across the country, and also offers a “Cougelly” variation.

It is interesting to note that the name seems to have been quite rare prior to the 1800s. According to records found in British newspapers archived in ancestry.co.uk, Cogelys were almost entirely absent from England prior to the 1800s. For Scotland, though, the name was more common, with the surname appearing frequently in records from the Outer Hebrides Isles dating to the 16th century.

Variations of the surname Cogely

Cogely is an occupational surname from medieval England, derived from the Norman French word "cogle," meaning a cane. The variants and spellings of Cogely can vary depending on the accent and pronunciation, but the most common variants include Cogell, Kogel, Kogley, Koger, Cogley, and Coger. In some cases, the surname is spelled Coagley or Coogley.

The surname is most often encountered in the southern and western United States, particularly in Indiana and Michigan, but has a larger presence in England. Cogely is also seen to be found in Scotland and Ireland.

Along with the various spellings, Cogely is also connected to several other surnames of similar origin, including O'Coigly, Cogel, Cooney, Cowell, and Cogswell. Over the centuries, many surnames with different spellings have come to be associated with Cogely, including Cages, Cogley, Cogeley, Cogell, and Koger.

Additionally, Cogelys with a different first name but the same last name could indicate a family connection, with individuals tracing their pedigree to the same first ancestor who adopted the surname. Cogelys married to branches of the same family may even choose to carry their spouse's name, thereby merging two surnames into one.

Overall, spelling variants of Cogely can be numerous, but all point to a descent from the same original root word "cogle" and surname. The different branches of the family may have adopted a variety of spellings and surnames over time, but all share the common heritage and connection to the medieval occupation.

Famous people with the name Cogely

• David Cogely: Professional Rugby League Player
• Larry Cogely: Professional Equestrian
• Linda Cogely: Actress
• Pat Cogely: Former Professional Football Player
• Will Cogely: Professional Surfer
• Eddie Cogely: Professional Snowboarder
• Amy Cogely: Professional Soccer Player
• Henry Cogely: Professional Golfer
• Mike Cogely: Professional Field Hockey Player
• Becca Cogely: Professional Skier

Other surnames

Cogel