The name Amberly is an English given name with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English words "aemere" and "leah," which together mean "amber clearing" or "amber meadow." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive term for a particular location or settlement surrounded by amber-hued fields or forests.

In the 12th century, the name appeared in various historical records and documents, often spelled as "Ambreleia" or "Aemyrleah." One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror.

During the Middle Ages, the name Amberly was relatively uncommon but held a certain degree of prestige among the nobility and gentry. One notable individual who bore this name was Lady Amberly de Warenne, a wealthy landowner and patron of the arts who lived in the late 13th century.

In the 16th century, the name gained some popularity among Puritan families in England, who were drawn to its biblical connotations of amber, which was a precious substance mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel. One of the most famous individuals with this name from this era was Amberly Winthrop, a prominent Puritan minister and one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Amberly remained relatively rare but continued to be used sporadically among English families. One notable figure from this period was Amberly Fairfax, an English soldier and explorer who served in the British Army during the French and Indian War in North America in the mid-1700s.

In the 19th century, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among upper-class families in Britain and the United States. One of the most famous individuals with this name during this time was Amberly Vanderbilt, a prominent American socialite and philanthropist who was a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family.

Another notable figure from this era was Amberly Nightingale, a British nurse and social reformer who played a crucial role in improving healthcare standards and establishing professional nursing practices in the mid-19th century.