Surname Penly - Meaning and Origin

Penly: What does the surname Penly mean?

The surname Penly is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from two Old English elements: “pen,” which means “hill,” and “leah,” meaning “wood” or “clearing.” Therefore, it can be interpreted as "the clearing on the hill." It would have originally been used as a topographic name for someone who lived in such a location. Over time, family names like Penly became a way for people to sort themselves into groups - through occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, nobility, and more. Like many other surnames, the original meaning of Penly has been lost in time, and it simply identifies a particular lineage or family line today. While this surname may not be widespread, those carrying this surname can find it in different parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries, due to migration over centuries. As of today, variations of this surname may include Penley, Pendley among others.

Penly: Where does the name Penly come from?

The last name Penly is most commonly found in the United States today, and was first seen in the United States in the 1700s. It is also present in Canada and Australia, and a few other countries, but it is not as frequent elsewhere.

Penly is a habitational name, meaning it was derived from the name of a place where a person once lived or held land. It is thought to have been derived from the family’s ancestral home, which was located near the English parish of Pendely in the county of Devon.

In the United States, it can be found in records all the way back to the 1700s. It was most recently recorded in the Social Security Index in 1920, and is found primarily in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

Today, Penly is still relatively common in the United States, but its popularity has declined due to a number of factors, such as immigration and marriage. Nonetheless, it is still a relatively popular surname in the states where it is most common.

Variations of the surname Penly

The surname Penly originates from the place-name Penley in Shropshire, England. Derived from the Old English words ‘penna’ and ‘leah’ meaning ‘Enclosure in the wood or clearing’, this surname has been in the region since at least the 16th century when records of the name first start appearing. Over the centuries the original spelling has been adapted and evolved into a variety of other spellings and surnames including Penley, Penly, Penloe, Penlai, Penlaigh, Penlan, Pennelley, Penle, Penleigh, Pennell, Pennal, Pannell, Pennill and Pinnell.

The Penly surname may also been found in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This is due to migration of the English family to these countries and the name being adapted further into Irish, Scottish and Welsh forms. In Ireland it may be found as Penlee, Pennyl and Penlye; in Scotland as Penlie, Penly, Penlae and Pennal; and in Wales as Penlow and Pennell.

Variant spellings of Penly can be seen in some of the earliest records, where each parish clerk would record the name as he heard it spoken. These variations demonstrate how the name was adapted to the local accent and how it developed over time. It is important to note that although the spelling may vary, often the original pronunciation of the surname would have remained much the same.

Today, the Penly surname is found around the world, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Interestingly, the highest concentration of the Penly surname still remains in the areas around where it first originated, in the English counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Cheshire and Wales.

Famous people with the name Penly

• Mark Penly: Actor and writer from the UK, known for his roles in Fleming and An Angel for May.
• Jenna Penly: Professional dancer and choreographer, known for her work on TV’s So You Think You Can Dance.
• Cole Penly: Professional basketball player, currently playing for the NBA Utah Jazz.
• DeAndre Penly: Football wide receiver who played with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 and 2016.
• Chloe Penly: Fashion model and Instagram influencer.
• Emily Penly: Professional golf player, winner of multiple championships.
• Liam Penly: Professional baseball player, who has played for multiple teams in the minor leagues.
• Scarlett Penly: British actress, known for her role in the 2006 BBC television miniseries The Virgin Queen.
• Carson Penly: Singer-songwriter and musician based in Los Angeles, who has toured with the likes of Bruno Mars and Katy Perry.
• Callum Penly: TV actor from the UK, known primarily for his roles in Emmerdale and Ackley Bridge.

Other surnames

Penley