Surname Shirley - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Shirley Chronicles: Insightful Discoveries from my iGENEA DNA Test

Exploring my personal heritage through the iGENEA DNA test has unveiled fascinating insights about my surname, Shirley. Originating in England, the name has rich historical and cultural undertones attached to it, linking me to notable figures, political intrigue, and the vibrant landscapes that my ancestors once called home.

T. Shirley

Shirley: What does the surname Shirley mean?

The surname Shirley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational surname derived from various places in England. The name is believed to come from the Old English words "scire," meaning "bright," and "leah," meaning "wood," "clearing," or "meadow." Thus, it can be interpreted as "bright clearing" or "bright meadow." The origins of the name are rooted in geographical and topographical features, a common practice with many ancient surnames. Hence, individuals with the surname Shirley could be identified as coming from these locations. It remained a relatively common English surname and was later carried to various other countries like Ireland, America, and Australia during times of migration. Some variants of the surname include Shirlee, Shurley, and Shirely.

Shirley: Where does the name Shirley come from?

The last name Shirley is most common throughout the United Kingdom, specifically in England. It first emerged as a common surname during Norman Conquest in 1066 CE.

In Scotland, the name is somewhat less common, and in Wales it is less common still. The United States also has a notable number of people bearing the last name Shirley, owing to waves of European immigration during the seventeenth and eighteenth century.

Today, Shirley is the 859th most common last name in England. The locations where the highest concentrations of people with this surname are found are in smaller villages such as at Hunmanby and Westfield, both located in North Yorkshire.

In the United States as of 2018, Shirley was the 1,515th most common surname out of 887,792 recorded. Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York had the greatest concentration of families named Shirley. More recent immigrants of the name hail from Thailand, Poland, and the Caribbean Islands.

The origin of the last name Shirley remains unclear, though it is thought to be derived either from a town name or a place name, such as a settlement in the Old English words ‘scir’ and ‘leah’ meaning ‘bright meadow’ or ‘bright clearing’. It may also have been derived from a personal or nick name.

Variations of the surname Shirley

The surname Shirley has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Shurley, which originates from an Old English word. The spelling Shurleigh is also commonly used. Other variations of the surname include Shurleye, Shurlie, and Shurly.

In addition, Shirley has a few different surnames of the same origin. These include Share, Shire, Sherry, Sherrill, Sherrell, and Shirrell. All of these surnames likely originate from the Old English word “scir,” which means bright or fair. It is thought that the surname was perhaps originally used to describe someone with a bright complexion.

Finally, there are a few other lesser-known surname spellings and variants that have the same origin as Shirley. These include Shiles, Shurlde, Shurl, Sherla, and Shorlay.

Overall, Shirley is a surname that is derived from the Old English word “scir,” meaning bright or fair. This surname has a variety of spellings and variants, as well as a few different surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Shurley, but there are several lesser-known spellings and surnames of the same origin as well.

Famous people with the name Shirley

• Matt Shirley: American author and speaker
• Shirley Bassey: British singer and actress
• Shirley Temple: former American child actress and diplomat
• Shirley Manson: Scottish singer, songwriter, and musician
• Shirley MacLaine: American actress, singer, and activist
• Shirley Henderson: Scottish actress
• Shirley Ballas: British dancer, choreographer, and television judge on Strictly Come Dancing
• Shirley Jones: American actress, singer, and author
• Shirley Yeung: Hong Kong actress and singer
• Shirley Creed-Miles: English actress

Other surnames

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