Surname Ensley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Ensley: What does the surname Ensley mean?
The surname Ensley is of English origin and is believed to have geographical roots. It is likely derived from a place name, possibly an old English habitation name. The name appears to break down into two elements: "ens" and "ley". "Ens" could originate from a personal name, while "ley" is common in English place names and usually means "wood", "clearing", or "meadow". Therefore, Ensley may mean "Ens's meadow" or "meadow of a man named Ens". It's also possible that the surname relates to a specific location, such as the town of Hensley in England. As with many surnames, there are likely several different families with the Ensley name, each with their own separate histories and origins of the name. Changes in spelling of the same original surname are common due to historical shifts in language and dialect, as well as various recording mistakes over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisEnsley: Where does the name Ensley come from?
The surname Ensley is of English origin and is believed to have risen from a place called Ensley in Hampshire or Enley in Oxfordshire. The name is derived from old English terms such as “ean” meaning one or alone and “leah” meaning a forest clearing or meadow, giving it the prospective meaning of 'single wood or clearing'.
As of the 21st century, the name Ensley is most commonly found in the United States, predominantly in the Southern States such as North Carolina and South Carolina. It is a fairly uncommon last name, ranking as the 11,877th most common surname in the United States as per the 2000 Census. You may also find Ensleys in Australia, Canada, England, and other English-speaking countries, but in smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Ensley
The surname Ensley may also be commonly spelled as Endsley, Endsey, Ensey, and Innsley, among others. Other variations may include Enslie, Enncly or even Ensly. In historical records, the name is sometimes transcribed erroneously due to variations in pronunciation, hand-written documents or printing errors, which might result in less common spellings such as Enesley, Enzsley or Ensleigh.
The surname appears to be of English origin, potentially derived from location-based names. For instance, it could potentially be linked to towns like Hensley in Hertfordshire, or Ansley in Warwickshire. As a result, other surnames sharing this origin could be Hensley and Ansley.
It's important to keep in mind that the various spellings of a surname in different regions and eras were often due to the lack of literacy and standardized spelling. All these variants represent the evolution of the name, reflecting cultural, regional, and temporal shifts, as well as phonetic interpretations. Due to this, the understanding of surname origins and variants can be complex.
Famous people with the name Ensley
- David Eason: David Eason happens to be the most famous person with the last name, Ensley. This is because his daughter with reality TV star Jenelle Evans is called Ensley Jolie Eason, which made headlines in several gossip magazines and blogs. David is known for his appearances on the MTV show, "Teen Mom 2."
- Ensley Bingham: Bingham is a former British boxer who competed from 1985 to 1995. He held the British light-middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. His fame also extended to his coaching career, where he has coached several successful boxers.
- DeVontae Ensley: Ensley is an entrepreneur, mental health therapist, and life coach. He is also a published author, known for his work on self-improvement and mental health issues.
- Jim Ensley: While not a household name, Jim Ensley is a somewhat well-known individual in the farming industry. He is known for inventing innovative farming equipment. Please note, the popularity of individuals with the surname Ensley is relative and may not be widely recognized outside of their respective circles.