Surname Ousley - Meaning and Origin
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Ousley: What does the surname Ousley mean?
The surname Ousley is Anglo-Saxon in origin and is believed to have derived from a place name, possibly from either of the two English towns named Ousley: Ousley in Kent or Ausewell in Devon. In Old English, Ousley could mean 'eastern wood' or 'eastern clearing', with 'ouse' referring to 'east' and 'ley' referring to 'wood, clearing or meadow'. The surname could have been adopted by someone living by such a place. Like many surnames, over the centuries it has been modified through various spellings including Ousely, Ousley, Owsley, Ouseley and others. Surnames often reflected an individual's occupation, their father's name, the location of their dwelling, or a notable physical trait. Hence, the surname Ousley most likely reflected the geographic location where the original bearers lived or held land. As with many surnames, it is important to bear in mind that exact origins may be hard to pinpoint due to oral traditions and lack of recorded history.
Order DNA origin analysisOusley: Where does the name Ousley come from?
The last name Ousley is most commonly found in the United States today. It is a surname of German and occasionally Irish origin. In the United States, it is mainly found in the Midwest and Southern states, including Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. It may also be found in larger numbers in northeastern states such as Pennsylvania and New York.
In Alabama specifically, the last name Ousley has an unusually high concentration in Jefferson County. Today, more than half of all families bearing the Ousley name in the United States are found there. Records from the early 1900s show the Ousleys arriving in Birmingham, Alabama from Tennessee, and it is likely the name was carried down by early settlers from Germany and Ireland.
In Pennsylvania, the last name is found mainly in the southwestern counties. Between the 1940s and 1980s, Ousley families migrated from West Virginia and central Pennsylvania to find work in the coal mines and steel mills in Beaver and Washington Counties. The population of those bearing the Ousley name started to steadily increase, and today, there are more Ousley families in southwestern Pennsylvania than in any other region in the United States.
Overall, the Ousley name is most strongly associated with the United States today, although there are a few pockets in other parts of the world, mainly in Canada and Europe.
Variations of the surname Ousley
The surname Ousley is of English origin. It derives from the Old English name Ulf, meaning ‘wolf’. Variants of the name include Ausley, Oselay, Ouseley, Osellee, Oslee, Usly, Owsley, Owsle, Awsley, Owsely, Ously, Ussley, Uselay, Usli, Useli, Ussly, Owslie, and Owsli. Some variations of the spelling bear similarity to other Old English names, including Auseli and Ussate.
Surnames that may share the same origin include Ausman, Usoff, Ussery, Ustace, Usher, Aussom, and Ussom. It is possible that other surnames, such as Uslen, Asole, Ustone, Auskin, Osgam, Uske, and Uskette, have origins related to Ousley, but this has not been conclusively proven.
Ousley has remained fairly widespread throughout England since its initial conception. It appears most frequently amongst the records of families living in the counties of Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Devon, and Cornwall, although it can also be found in small numbers across other areas of the UK. Its use is also common throughout North America, particularly in the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Ousley
- Craig Ousley: American news anchor and journalist
- Deshaun Ousley: American Painter, Architectural Designer, and Educator
- Eileen Ousley: Award winning English actress and playwright
- James Ousley: Former United States Marine
- Marc Ousley: Emmy Award-winning American composer and entertainer
- Pancho Ousley: jazz bassist and a founding member of SXSW
- Ryan Ousley: co-founder and CEO of MicroVentures
- Toni Ousley: American mezzo-soprano opera singer
- Tracey Ousley: String bass player from Nashville
- Virgie Ousley: Former American ABA professional basketball player