Atley first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Atley has been for the last 32 years (from 1993 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Atley

Derived from an English surname meaning "clearing or meadow by the river".

Popularity of Atley by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Atley is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 59% of people named Atley being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 46 female babies and 23 male babies born with the name Atley.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 23 46
2023 24 58
2022 29 59
2021 28 42
2020 26 60
2019 25 80
2018 21 42
2017 30 50
2016 18 40
2015 33 50
2014 26 51
2013 30 33
2012 37 31
2011 44 27
2010 29 29
2009 17 22
2008 29 13
2007 14 19
2006 20 13
2005 11 18
2004 17 10
2003 16 11
2002 9 7
2001 9 9
1999 0 5
1993 5 0

The history of the first name Atley

The name Atley is believed to have originated from the Old English language, which was spoken in parts of Britain from the 5th to the 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "æt" meaning "at" and "leah" meaning "a meadow or clearing." Thus, the name Atley likely referred to someone who lived near a clearing or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Atley can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of a great survey of landholders in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was in use among the Anglo-Saxon population of England prior to the Norman Conquest.

In the 12th century, an English nobleman named Atley de Wyndham was mentioned in historical records. He was a wealthy landowner and served as a knight under King Henry II. Another notable figure with the name Atley was Atley Bredwell, a 14th-century English monk and scholar who authored several works on theology and philosophy.

During the Renaissance period, Atley Smythe was a prominent merchant and diplomat from England who traveled extensively throughout Europe. He is known for his detailed accounts of his travels and his efforts to promote trade between England and other European nations.

In the 19th century, Atley Bevan was a Welsh industrialist and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the coal mining industry in South Wales. He was also known for his support of educational initiatives and his efforts to improve the living conditions of miners and their families.

Another notable figure with the name Atley was Atley Townsend, an American soldier who served in the Civil War. He fought for the Union Army and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and valor on the battlefield.

While the name Atley may have originated from Old English roots, it has been used across various cultures and regions throughout history, with individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in various fields, from literature and philosophy to industry and military service.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Atley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Atley, please contact us.

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"Atley first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/atley-meaning-and-history/.

"Atley first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/atley-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 July, 2025

Atley first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/atley-meaning-and-history/.

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