Surname Robley - Meaning and Origin

Robley: What does the surname Robley mean?

The surname Robley is believed to be of English origin. It is thought to have derived from the Old French words "robeille", meaning a wooded area inhabited by rabbits, and "leu", meaning a clearing. It can be translate to “an area of cleared land inhabited by rabbits”.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name was in 1286 in Lincolnshire, England. It is believed to have been held by one William Robley. The Robley family is thought to have come to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

The Robley surname is not found in Europe outside of England, but there is evidence the surname spread to the United States in the early 18th century with the arrival of John Robley of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Robley family continued to make their homes in New England colonies in the 19th century.

Today, the Robley surname is still found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, although it is thought the name is more common in North America. There are still many Robley families in the region, with some descending from the original colonists and others having entered the country more recently.

Robley is an old English name that conveys a sense of adventure and a proud heritage. It is a reminder of a long and storied journey that began with a small English family. It is both calming and exciting to know that the Robley name is still alive and well today.

Robley: Where does the name Robley come from?

The surname Robley is primarily found in England, Australia, and New Zealand. In England, the surname is most commonly found in Lancashire with a further concentration around Chester and North Wales. In Australia, the surname Robley is most common in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. In New Zealand, the surname Robley can be found most often on the North Island, particularly the top half.

Robley is derived from the Old French personal name Robert, which was first popular in Britain during the Norman Conquest. It is said to mean ‘bright’ or ‘shining’.

The Robley surname is also often spelled with a variety of spellings, including Roobley, Rubbley, Roblee, and more. These mostly represent phonetic spellings by parish clerks who recorded births, deaths, and marriages.

Though the surname Robley is still to be found in all three countries, its prevalence is often linked to previous migrations of people. Thus, there are pockets of related families clustered in certain areas throughout Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Robley

Robley is an English surname derived from a medieval personal name, Robert. Variations include Robles, Roble, Robel, Robbe, Rabels, Rabel, Rabbe, Rowls, Rowle and Rowel. The Robley spelling appears to be the most commonly used variation in modern times.

The name Robley has a Norman French origin, being first introduced to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. At that time, it was most likely a corruption of the French name ‘Robert’, which is derived from the Germanic name ‘Hrodberth’, meaning ‘bright fame’.

Robley is a relatively rare surname; as of 2018, it is estimated to be in use by less than 400 people in the United States. In England, the Robley surname is most commonly found in the South and East of the country, particularly in the Devon and Essex areas.

Robley can also be found in other locations around the world, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It is likely that some of these people descended from Robley immigrants who settled in those countries during the 19th Century.

In some cases, the spelling has changed over the years due to migration and assimilation, causing the surname ‘Robley’ to be spelled Robles, Roble, Robel, Robbe, Rabels, Rabel, Rabbe, Rowls, Rowle, and Rowel. Despite the spelling differences, all are likely derived from the same root.

Famous people with the name Robley

• Steve Robley: country music guitarist, songwriter and producer.
• Mark Robley: USMC veteran and Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Vietnam War.
• Donald Robley: Australian professional association football player.
• Dwayne Robley: former college football, basketball, and golf coach.
• Ken Robley: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Darin Robley: American football offensive tackle.
• Brandon Robley: Motocross and NASCAR driver.
• Thomas Robley: English cricketer and British Army officer.
• Chris Robley: American singer, songwriter, and producer.
• Ralph Robley: Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductee who played in the Canadian Football League.
• Roy Robley: English rugby union and rugby league player.
• Ciara Robley: rhythmic gymnast who won two medals at the 2007 Commonwealth Youth Games.
• Barry Robley: former NHL hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings.
• Nathan Robley: current Major League Lacrosse player for the Charlotte Hounds.
• Will Robley: former British Army officer who served in World War I and was awarded the Military Cross.

Other surnames

RobledoRobles