The name Berkley has its origins in Old English, derived from the words "beorg" meaning hill or mound, and "leah" meaning meadow or clearing. It is believed to have originated as a place name, referring to a settlement or village located on a hill or mound surrounded by a meadow or clearing. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 11th century, when it appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Berkley was Walter de Berkley, a prominent Norman nobleman who lived in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. He was a prominent landowner and held several manors in Gloucestershire and Somerset. Another notable figure was Sir Maurice de Berkley, who lived in the 13th century and served as a knight and military commander during the reign of King Henry III.

In the 14th century, the name gained prominence with Thomas de Berkley, a member of the English nobility who served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord High Treasurer during the reign of Edward III. He played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War against France and was a trusted advisor to the king.

During the Tudor period, the name was associated with the Berkeley family, a prominent English noble family with roots dating back to the 11th century. One of the most famous members of this family was George Berkeley, an Irish philosopher and bishop born in 1685. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment period and is best known for his philosophical work "A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge."

In the 18th century, Berkley was the first name of Berkley Bedell, an American politician and businessman who served as a U.S. Representative from Iowa from 1975 to 1987. He was born in 1921 and was a prominent advocate for rural development and agriculture policies during his time in Congress.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Berkley, which has evolved from its Old English origins to become a recognized given name in its own right, carrying a rich historical legacy.