Surname Oakley - Meaning and Origin
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V. Oakley
read moreOakley: What does the surname Oakley mean?
The surname Oakley has English origins and is derived from Old English. It is a topographic or habitational surname, which means it signifies a person's residence or birthplace. It is made up of two elements: 'ac', meaning oak, and 'leah', meaning wood or clearing. Hence, Oakley can be translated as 'oak wood' or 'oak clearing'. It was typically given to individuals who lived near or by an oak forest or oak trees. Being a common feature in various parts of England, oak trees have been significant in English folklore and traditions, thus also giving the surname Oakley its prevalence. Over time, many variants of the surname have evolved such as Oakeley, Ockley, and Okeley. This surname is widely recognized due to the famous American sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
Order DNA origin analysisOakley: Where does the name Oakley come from?
The last name Oakley is most commonly found in North America, especially in the United States. According to 2020 United States Census data, Oakley is the 4,035th most common surname in the country.
The majority of Oakley families in the United States originated from the British Isles. In particular, English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants who settled in the colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries seem to be the source of the majority of the Oakleys throughout the country.
The states with the highest number of Oakley families are Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Mississippi. However, Oakleys can be found in many other states, too. Notable locations include California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The Oakleys who originally immigrated to America have since had their own descendants, but also married into many other families whose ancestors came from different parts of the world. For example, there are now Oakleys who can trace their ancestors back to Italy, Poland, France and Germany.
The Oakley surname is not as common today as it once was. Still, despite the fact that the family name isn't as widespread as it was before, there are still many Oakleys who live in the United States today.
Variations of the surname Oakley
The surname Oakley has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variation is Ockley, which is also the Old English spelling for Oakley. This variant is sometimes spelled as Ocley, Occley, Oclee or Oaklea. It may also be spelled as Okeley in documents from the 17th century.
Other surnames are derived from Oakley, such as Okley, Okell, Olney, Olneye, Ollney, Ouleigh and Oully. Variants of Okley include Okly, Ockly, Okely, Ockley and Oclee.
The surname Oaklee is derived from Oakley, as is Oakleigh and Oaklie. The more uncommon spellings of Oaklie include Oaklay, Oakliegh, Oakleg, Oaklieght and Oakly.
Finally, Oaklie can be found spelled as Oaklaye, Okalye, Ocklaye, Ocklaygh, Oklay, Ockeley and Okelye.
In conclusion, the surname Oakley has many variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. There are some common variations, such as Ockley and Okley, as well as several more uncommon spellings, such as Oaklee, Oaklie, Oaklaye and Ockeley.
Famous people with the name Oakley
- Michael Oakley: Musician
- Ken Oakley: Academic
- Annie Oakley: Western sharpshooter and exhibition shooter
- Joshua Oakley: Professional mixed martial artist
- Ashley Oakley: English football manager
- Brian Oakley: American computer science professor
- Charles Oakley: Former basketball star
- Francis Oakley: American professor and scholar
- Ivy Oakley: Australian hockey player
- Jake Oakley: English footballer
- John Oakley: Canadian radio personality
- Jordan Oakley: Football player
- Julie Oakley: Australian actress
- Kim Oakley: British singer-songwriter
- Nathan Oakley: British inventor
- Richard Oakley: British artist
- Rosemary Oakley: British playwright
- Steven Oakley: American musician
- Wendy Oakley: Canadian curler
- William Oakley: English clergyman