Calley Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

The surname Calley is of English origin and has several possible meanings and family history.
1. Locational: It could be derived from the Old English word "cale," which means "cold," and the suffix "-ley" or "-leigh," meaning "a clearing or meadow." This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have lived in or near a cold clearing or meadow.
2. Occupational: Another possibility is that Calley could have originated as an occupational surname. It might have been derived from the Middle English word "caley" or "calley," meaning "a bell," indicating that the nameholder may have been a bell ringer or someone associated with bells.
As for the family history, it is challenging to provide specific details without more information. Surnames often evolved and spread over time, making it difficult to trace individual family histories accurately. Researching specific genealogical records, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as census data, can provide more insights into the particular family history associated with the Calley surname.

1. The surname Calley is of English origin.
2. It is a locational surname derived from the place name 'Cawley' or 'Cowley', which can be found in various regions in England.
3. The name 'Cawley' is derived from the Old English word 'cawe', which means 'jackdaw', and 'leah', which means 'clearing' or 'meadow'. Therefore, the surname can be interpreted as 'clearing where jackdaws are found'.
4. The name 'Cowley' is derived from the Old English word 'cufu', meaning 'cow', and 'leah', meaning 'clearing', so the meaning of the surname is 'clearing where cows graze'.
5. The Calley surname is relatively rare and not very common.
6. Variations of the Calley surname include Cawley, Cauley, Kailey, and Cayley.
7. Notable individuals with the Calley surname include William L. Calley Jr., a former U.S. Army officer who was convicted of war crimes during the Vietnam War, and Benjamin Calley, an American film director and producer.
8. Calley may also be an anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Cathmhaoil or Mac Cathail.

According to public records, the Calley family is from the United States. The specific state or city of origin is unavailable without further information.

Some famous people with the surname Calley include:
1. William Calley - American army officer, best known for his involvement in the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War.
2. John Calley - American film executive and producer, known for his work on films like "The Remains of the Day" and "Catch-22."
3. Kyle Calley - American professional boxer, competed in the light heavyweight division.
4. Peter Calley - American film producer, worked on projects like "Blades of Glory" and "Ted."
5. Robert Calley - American politician, served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
6. Charles Calley - American Olympian, competed in the men's equestrian events at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
7. Irma C. Calley - American biology professor, known for her research on reproductive biology.
8. Joseph Calley - American entrepreneur, co-founded the sports entertainment company Zuffa, LLC, which owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
9. Duncan Calley - British Royal Navy officer, known for his service during World War II.
10. Sierra Calley - American photographer, known for her work in fashion and commercial photography.