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
Living On Own Means 53
General Labourer 46
General Servant Domestic 35
Cotton Weaver 31
Dress Maker 30
Scholar 29
Domestic Servant 24
Laundress Wash 20
Housemaid Domestic 17
Cook Domestic 15
Carpenter 14
Farmer 14
Charwoman 13
Dock Labourer 13
Blacksmith 11
Bricklayer 11
House Keeper 11
House Maid Domestic 11
House Painter 10
Iron Moulder 10
Milliner 9
Agricultural Labourer 9
Domestic 8
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 8
Coal Miner C Hewer 8

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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