Harley Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Harley Name Meaning: Derived from an Anglo-Saxon word 'hara' meaning 'the hare' and 'leah' meaning a fenced enclosure or farm.

This surname was probably taken from a number of villages and towns etc in Great Britain of the same name. It may have also referred to someone who was associated with keeping Hare's or someone who lived on a farm.

Discover how your Harley ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Harley Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Harley family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 628
Agricultural Labourer 49
Labourer 41
Domestic Servant 36
Dress Maker 31
Coal Miner 27
General Labourer 26
Farm Labourer 25
General Servant 15
Laundress 13
Tailor 12
General Servant Domestic 10
No Occupation 10
Annuitant 9
Baker 9
Carpenter 9
Charwoman 9
Servant 9
Bricklayer 9
Cotton Weaver 9
Blacksmith 8
House Keeper 8
Fisherman 8
Book Folder 7
Butcher 7

Harley Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Harley 100% 26,003
2 Hurley 83% 21,800
3 Horley 83% 6,468
4 Herley 83% 2,257
5 Hurly 67% 1,220
6 Harlley 86% 595
7 Hearley 86% 422
8 Harly 83% 403
9 Harrley 86% 238
10 Hearly 67% 191
11 Herly 67% 132
12 Hirley 83% 108

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The surname Harley is the most popular version of all its varients

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