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 701
General Labourer 72
Agricultural Labourer 59
Coal Miner 55
Cotton Weaver 47
Domestic Servant 41
Living On Own Means 40
Labourer 39
Dress Maker 35
Farmer 25
General Servant 24
Farm Labourer 23
General Servant Domestic 23
Errand Boy 22
Carpenter 21
Living On Her Own Means 20
Clerk 17
Laundress 16
Farm Servant 16
Blacksmith 16
Tailoress 13
Gardener 12
Grocer 12
Dock Labourer 11
Carman 10

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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