Surname Beardsly - Meaning and Origin

Beardsly: What does the surname Beardsly mean?

The last name Beardsly is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is thought to derive from the Olde English 'beard-slyll', which means 'dweller by the steep hill.' This suggests that the original bearers of the name lived in a place that was hilly or steep. Additionally, the name is believed to have been a nickname; the initial bearer likely had either a thick or distinctive beard, or the family may have revealled themselves by a derogatory nickname for someone who had a beard.

There are many variations of the Beardsley last name that can be found in records, such as de Beardslee, de Bardslea, Beordsleigh, and Burdsley.

The use of surnames began in the mid-12th century and became commonplace by the 15th century. Still today, however, surnames play a key role in understanding one's family heritage. The Beardsley family has a rich history that can be traced back to the origins of the surname. Through continued research, this family hopes to build on its past and look towards creating a brighter future.

Beardsly: Where does the name Beardsly come from?

The last name Beardsly is common today in the United States. It appears in the U.S. census records for the 2020 population as #5,511 out of 88,799 total last names. The surname Beardsly originated as an English name and first appeared in the late 13th century Medieval period. It is derived from a combination of the popular Middle English word “beard” and the Old Norse “sly”, which translates as “clever” or “wise”. Therefore, the surname Beardsly translates as “wise of the beard”.

The average population of Beardslys in each of the 50 U.S. states is 50 people per state. The highest concentrations of Beardslys can be found in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York. In those states, the average population of Beardslys is around 250 people per state.

The name Beardsly has also spread to other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In each of these countries, the name is most commonly found in the same areas that it is found in the United States.

Today, the name Beardsly is common in the western world, and can be found in increasing numbers in other countries. It is a testament to the longevity of this surname, and the various people that have adopted it over time.

Variations of the surname Beardsly

The surname Beardsly has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Bardsley, Bardsly, Beadsly, Beadsley, Burdsley and Burdsly.

Bardsley is the most common variant and is derived from the Old English pre 7th century words "Beard" meaning a man's facial hair and "Leah", meaning a clearing in a wood or a grassy meadow. It is believed that the earliest incarnation of the name was a person who lived and worked on or near a beard shaped clearing in a wood.

Bardsly is a variant of Bardsley and may have been used in Lancashire; historically it was predominantly found in the area stretching from Cheshire to Yorkshire.

Beadsly and Beadsley derives from the Middle English words "Bead" meaning a prayer or a request, and "Leah", as previously mentioned. Beadsly and Beadsley may have referred to someone who lived on, near or was associated with a clearing in a forest, or a grassy meadow which acted as a spiritual site with prayer induced in the surroundings.

Burdsley and Burdsly have the same derivation, however Burdsley has two possible origins: firstly, it may have derived from the Middle English word "burdon" which means a thicket or brambles and secondly, it could have come from the Middle English words "Bear" meaning carry, transport or support and "Dun", meaning an enclosure or hill. It may refer to someone associated with either a place of bramble growth, or a hill upon which goods needed to be transported.

In conclusion, Beardsly is a surname with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These have their roots in Middle and Old English words, delivering an insight into the lifestyle of previous generations.

Famous people with the name Beardsly

• Colin Beardsley: Actor and musician best known for roles in films like "Kicking and Screaming" and "The Wackness".
• Aubrey Beardsley: Victorian-era artist and illustrator who became renowned for his bizarre and outrageous images depicting the decadence of the age.
• Mark Beardsley: British musician, DJ and imprint label manager of Bytes Records.
• Anthony Beardsley: American radio broadcaster and Voice of America director.
• James Beardsley: American zoologist and professor at the University of Washington.
• Erin Beardsley: Award-winning Australian author of Young Adult fiction.
• Daniel Beardsley: British soldier of the Napoleonic Wars who wrote under the pseudonym ‘Callisthenes’.
• C.J. Beardsley: British printmaker and illustrator who specialized in etchings and drypoint engraving.
• Kelly Beardsley: American actor and trendsetter in the 1990s and early 2000s.
• Chris Beardsley: English international rugby union player and member of Gloucester Rugby Club.
• Susan Beardsley: American astrologer and one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Astrological Conference.
• Clarke Beardsley: Canadian actor, producer and director who worked in films, television, radio and theater.
• Thomas Beardsley: British surgeon who served in India during World War II.
• Emma Beardsley: American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles.
• William Beardsley: American educator who was instrumental in establishing schools in the west.
• Victoria Beardsley: American philosopher and author of numerous books on epistemology.
• George Beardsley: American southern Gothic novelist and playwright.
• Lindy Beardsley: American gymnast and Olympic medalist.
• Bill Beardsley: American style icon and renowned shoe designer.
• Donald Beardsley: American basketball player and member of the inaugural roster of the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers.

Other surnames

BeardseeBeardsleeBeardsley