Surname Byerley - Meaning and Origin

Byerley: What does the surname Byerley mean?

The last name Byerley is an English surname of locational origin. It is derived from several places in England named Byerley, a combination of Old English words meaning 'fortified enclosure'. Byerley is a rare surname, still relatively uncommon in modern day England and the United States.

The first records of the Byerley name appear in the fifteenth century. Notable people in the Byerley family include Henry Byerley, whose name is recorded in the Subsidy Roll of Yorkshire in 1524. Other famous Byerleys include members of the Parliament of England; Elizabeth Byerley, a member of the Long Parliament in 1645, and Thomas Byerley, a member of the Cavalier Parliament in 1659.

The Byerley family is best known for Sir Thomas Byerley, who achieved a notable feat during the English Civil War. He is believed to have been the first soldier to capture an enemy flag in battle, for which he was knighted by King Charles I. This honorable feat helped to solidify the Byerley name over the centuries.

Today, the Byerley surname is one many people are proud to carry. As a result, many Byerleys remain dedicated to upholding the honorable traditions of their ancestors.

Byerley: Where does the name Byerley come from?

The last name Byerley is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2020, there were approximately 310 people with the last name “Byerley” living in the United States. Most Byerleys can be found concentrated in the states of Oklahoma, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Virginia.

In Canada, the last name “Byerley” was the 1,344th most common name in the country according to Statistics Canada’s 2016 census. The majority of those with this name can be found living in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia followed by smaller concentrations in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.

The last name Byerley may also be found in some other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, but it is much less common.

The last name Byerley is likely an American or Canadian variation of the Butelier surname French Canadian in origin. In French, “byer” means “bee”. This could possibly infer the Byerley family has a connection to beekeepers or bee-related industry.

Despite its relatively low ranking in both the United States and Canada, the Byerley surname is, in fact, fairly common and represents a unique heritage.

Variations of the surname Byerley

The surname Byerley has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants include "Byerly," "Beierly," "Bireley," "Beerely," "Beerly," "Beyrley," "Byrly," "Birley," "Birly," "Birely," "Birlie," "Barrell," and "Burell."

The Byerley surname originates from Middle English and is derived from the word "berley," meaning barley. This surname could mean that the original bearer of this name likely had strong ties to the barley crop or the brewing industry.

Byerley is an English surname that first appeared in records in the 11th century, denoting a place-name found in various locations in England. Early records of the name mention "John de Byerley, Of London, 1212."

Byerley is found in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Canada, United States, and throughout Europe. Variations of the surname Byerley are commonly found in Texas, New York and Pennsylvania in the USA.

Byerley could also be considered a sept, or a descendant of the Clan MacDuff, which was an ancient royal clan. Septs were smaller families who shared the same ancestry and branched off into various clan branches. Byerley was one of these sub-clans of the MacDuff dynasty and descendents of this sept are more common in the Lowland parts of Scotland.

Variations of the name Byerley can be found in records and documents from early medieval times. The surname has been a consistent part of the centuries-old history and continues to be identified by families with a Byerley origin.

Famous people with the name Byerley

• Adam Byerley: American musician & lead singer of the band, Red Wanting Blue
• Eliza Byerley: America Actress, known for roles in shows such as Jane the Virgin & Work in Progress
• Hannah Byerley: American Actress, known for her role in UnREAL
• Jemima Byerley: British Actress, known for her role in Downton Abbey
• Nanci Byerley: American Actress, starred in films such as The Ring and A Night at the Roxbury
• Patrick Byerley: American Composer, best known for works such as When You Give and Ashes of Babylon
• William Byerley: British Musician, singer/songwriter for band Smith & Byerley
• Matthew Byerley: Australian Film Director, best known for his 2013 feature film The Smalls
• Martin Byerley: American MMA Fighter, hand-picked by legendary MMA coach Greg Jackson to fight in the UFC
• David Byerley: American Football Player, currently plays for the Denver Broncos

Other surnames

Byerly