Surname Polley - Meaning and Origin

Polley: What does the surname Polley mean?

The surname Polley is of English origin derived from an Old English personal name, "Poli". It was initially given as a nickname to someone who lived near a pool or a pond. Another possible origin is from a place named after "pole", in reference to a location near a fenced area or a boundary. Over time, different variations of the surname emerged, such as Polly, Pollee, Poley, and Poulley, among others. The surname was first recorded in the late 13th century in the counties of Sussex and Kent. Despite its English origins, it has spread to other countries over time due to migration and settlement, and it is now found in various spellings worldwide. Like other surnames, having the last name Polley doesn't necessarily imply direct relations among all those bearing it; it may simply mean they share a common geographical origin or that their ancestors were assigned this surname for a particular reason.

Polley: Where does the name Polley come from?

The last name Polley is most commonly seen in the United Kingdom, particularly in the North West of England. In recent years, it has spread to Scotland, with a growing presence in Central Scotland, mainly around the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

It is also widespread in the United States, where it is most typically found in the midwestern states, especially Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. You can also find it in Florida and Texas.

In Australia, the surname has become very common in the major metropolitan areas of Melbourne and Sydney. It only came to Australia about 150 years ago with Irish immigrants, who adopted the name from their English-speaking ancestors.

In Canada, the surname is one of the most common last names in the province of Nova Scotia, where it first arrived in the early 19th century. It is also moderately common in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.

Although Polley is not a particularly common name in other countries in Europe, some short spelling variations like Polly can still be spotted in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of people bearing the surname in several countries across the world, with it becoming more prominent in some countries than others. It is likely that this will continue to rise in the coming years as the surname often gets passed down through generations.

Variations of the surname Polley

The surname Polley is primarily of English and Welsh origin, and is believed to have derived from the given name "Poll" or sometimes "Paul". It could also have come from the Old English word "poleh", meaning "pool or pond," which could have described a person living near a pool or valley. Variants and spellings of the surname include Pollie, Polly, Polley, Pollee, Polly, Pullie and Pulli. In Wales, spellings of the surname Polley include Porley, Porey, Power and Powrie.

In England, the Polleys were originally descended from the house of Bernicia in County Durham. This family is believed to be one of the earliest holders of the name, and it can still be found in scattered places in Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the 18th century, the family migrated from England to Nova Scotia, Canada. From there, some members of the Polley family moved into New York and Canada's other provinces, while other branches of the family stayed in Nova Scotia.

In Scotland, the surname Polley is often sense in East Lothian, where the family originated. It is believed to be derived from the personal name Paul, and first recorded in the 15th century.

In Ireland, the surname Polley is most commonly found in County Fermanagh and County Tyrone. It is derived from the given name Paul and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Amhalghaidh, and is usually synonymous with the surname Pollock.

No matter the spelling, each of these names share the same origins and could be related. Those with the surname Polley are part of a well-established and diverse family.

Famous people with the name Polley

• Sarah Polley: Canadian actor, producer, director, and writer.
• Alexander Polley: Scottish professional football player.
• Harry Polley: English professional soccer player.
• John L. Polley: American politician.
• Don Polley: American football player.
• Jordan Polley: Former English football player.
• S.M. Polley: North American carpenter.
• Michael Polley: Canadian actor and film producer.
• Ian Polley: English football manager.
• Richard Polley: English politician.
• Tom Polley: Former English professional football player.
• Arthur Polley: British actor.
• Jack Polley: English rugby union and rugby league player.
• Bette Polley: American television actress.
• Eddie Polley: English professional footballer.
• Emma Polley: British actress.
• John E. Polley: American politician.
• Cecil Polley: British actor and artist.
• Nick Polley: American professional basketball player.
• William Polley: British actor.

Other surnames

PollePollenPollerd