Surname Carnley - Meaning and Origin
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Carnley: What does the surname Carnley mean?
The last name Carnley is of English origin, which means it is likely of Anglo-Saxon descent. The name Carnley is derived from the Old English words 'cearn', meaning rock, and 'lēah', meaning a clearing or meadow. The name originally referred to someone who lived by or near a rocky meadow or clearing. The surname could also be from the personal name Cearna or Cearn, derived from the Old English word 'cearna', meaning a churl or rustic.
The surnames Carnley and Carnall both have the same meaning. However, Carnall is descended from a different personal name. The origin of the name Carnall is believed to be Middle English 'Carnall', which in turn is derived from the Old French 'carne', meaning fresh meat. Therefore, someone with the last name Carnall could have been a butcher or someone who sold fresh meat.
The surname Carnley could also be a variant of Carnelley. This form of the name is more often found in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales than England, and its origin is uncertain. It could be derived from the Old Irish word 'cearnail', meaning a cairn or heap of stones, or from the biblical names Aaron or Aaronite.
The surname Carnley may have evolved from one of these sources or from another name entirely. Whatever its origins, the overall meaning of the name Carnley is generally agreed to refer to a rocky meadow or clearing.
Order DNA origin analysisCarnley: Where does the name Carnley come from?
The last name Carnley is most common today mostly in the United Kingdom and countries of the former British Empire. It is not as common in the United States, but can be found in some parts thereof.
In the United Kingdom, Carnley is most commonly found in England but is also seen in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Most often, it is found in areas primarily inhabited by people of English origin, with Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire being some of the counties most likely to have a Carnley resident.
In former British colonies, the surname Carnley is seen in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Records indicate it was particularly common in the province of Alberta, Canada until the mid-1800s, particularly in smaller communities near Edmonton, and in the New South Wales, Australia area.
In the United States, Carnley is less commonly seen but can be found in some states. Records indicate it was most common in New York in the 1900s, likely among people of Anglo-Irish ancestry with over 200 Carnley households in the 1900 census. More recently, though, the surname has been seen in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia.
Regardless of location, the surname Carnley is associated with English, Scottish, and Irish origins. It is seen most commonly in areas with predominantly British influences, giving a clear historical context to its whereabouts today.
Variations of the surname Carnley
Carnley is an English surname of Norman French origin. The original spelling of this name was “Carnel”, which is derived from the Old French word “carnel”, meaning “fierce” or “fortified place”. This surname has many variants and spellings, including Carnelly, Carnily, Carnlee, Karnel, Karnell, Kornel, Carnal, Kernal and Carnall.
The origin of the Carnley surname is from North-West England, where there is still a Carnley Hill in Lancashire. The village of Carnley in Lancashire was home to many of the original bearers of the Carnley surname.
Another variation of this surname is Carnely, which is also derived from Old French and has its roots in a fortified place. It is thought to have originated in the Yorkshire area.
Surnames that are related to the Carnley surname include Carnell, Carnill, Curnell and Carnal. These surnames all have similar roots in either Old French or Norman French. They are all derived from the original spelling “Carnel”, although they have evolved over time to become slightly different.
Many people with the surname Carnley have gone on to become well-known, including the British fashion designer and socialite Arabella Carnley, the American actress and model Kirsten Carnley and the Irish political figure, Basil Carnley.
Famous people with the name Carnley
- Joe Carnley: A veteran of the US Air Force who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Joe is widely known for his iconic photo of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima.
- Grant Carnley: Australian actor who has appeared on various TV shows, including A Place to Call Home, Farscape, and All Saints.
- Georgia Carnley: Professional Welsh rugby player for the Cardiff Blues.
- Amy Carnley: A British actress known for her roles in the TV series Midsomer Murders and Doctors.
- Chad Carnley: American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Teddy Carnley: Country music artist and songwriter from the USA who released his debut album in 2018.
- Doc Carnley: An American blues musician who was active in the early 20th century and released several albums on notable labels.
- Kevin Carnley: A professional golfer from the United Kingdom who has played on both the European and Challenge Tours.
- Mary Carnley: A professional conservative political activist in the United Kingdom who has worked on campaigns for the Conservative Party.
- Rob Carnley: A US playwright known for penning the Broadway musical Spring Awakening.