The name Corey has its origins in the Old English language and is derived from the word 'cor', which means 'valley'. It was originally a surname that referred to someone who lived in or near a small valley or hollow.

In the 12th century, the name appeared as 'Corey' in the Domesday Book, a record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname during the Norman conquest of England.

By the 13th century, the name had evolved into a given name, with the earliest recorded instance being Corey de Bohun, a nobleman who lived during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272).

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Corey was Sir Corey Enfield (1370-1437), a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

In the 16th century, the name gained popularity among Puritan settlers in America, with Corey Brewster (1585-1659) being one of the earliest recorded bearers of the name in the New World. He was a prominent figure in the Plymouth Colony and served as an elder of the Pilgrim church.

Another notable figure was Corey Winslow (1595-1673), who was one of the founders of the town of Marshfield, Massachusetts, and served as its first pastor.

In the 19th century, Corey Wilkins (1810-1888) was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Boston, known for his contributions to education and social welfare.

During the American Civil War, Corey Harris (1835-1862) was a Union soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Battle of Antietam.

In the literary world, Corey Sinclair (1863-1914) was a British author and playwright who wrote several popular novels and plays in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.