The name Halley has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "hæleþ," which means "hero" or "warrior." This name was commonly used in Anglo-Saxon England during the early medieval period, around the 5th to 11th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Halley can be found in the Domesday Book, a historical record commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Hallei," referring to a landowner in the county of Norfolk, England.

In the 12th century, the name Halley gained prominence with the birth of Halley of Brittany (c. 1109 – c. 1165), a Breton cleric and historian who wrote the "Chronicon Britannicum," a chronicle of British history.

During the Renaissance period, the name Halley was associated with the renowned English astronomer Edmond Halley (1656 – 1742). He is best known for calculating the orbit of the comet that now bears his name, Halley's Comet, which is visible from Earth every 75-76 years.

Another notable individual with the name Halley was Sir Henry Halley (1828 – 1904), a British civil servant who served as the Chief Clerk of the Admiralty and was knighted for his services to the British government.

In the 20th century, Halley Foulkes (1898 – 1981) was a Welsh author and poet who published several collections of poetry and prose, including "The Greenfields" and "The Dower House."

It is worth mentioning that while the name Halley has its origins in Old English, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and languages, with slight variations in spelling and pronunciation.