The name Harlie is a modern English variant of the name Harley, which has its origins in the Old English language. The name Harley is derived from the Old English words "hara" meaning "hare" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." Thus, the name Harley originally referred to a meadow or clearing where hares were found.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Harley dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as a surname referring to a place name in Yorkshire, England. However, the name's use as a given name is not well documented until more recent centuries.

In the 16th century, the name Harley gained some prominence due to its association with the Harley family, a prominent English noble family. One notable member of this family was Sir Robert Harley (1579-1656), an English statesman and collector of manuscripts.

In the 17th century, another notable figure bearing the name Harley was Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer (1661-1724), a British statesman and bibliophile who served as Lord Treasurer and played a significant role in the War of the Spanish Succession.

As the name Harlie is a more recent variant, there are fewer historical figures recorded with this exact spelling. However, one notable individual was Harlie E. Norville (1895-1971), an American businessman and politician who served as the 46th Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana from 1960 to 1964.

Another individual with the name Harlie was Harlie J. Sims (1907-1993), an American baseball pitcher who played in the Major Leagues for the St. Louis Browns and the Boston Red Sox in the 1930s.

Additionally, Harlie L. Gowdy (1901-1980) was an American politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas from 1943 to 1947.

While the name Harlie may not have a long and illustrious history like some other names, its origins in Old English and its connection to the natural world give it a unique and intriguing meaning.