The name Marely is a variant spelling of the name Marley, which has its origins in the Old English language. The name is derived from the Old English words "mere" meaning "pool" or "lake" and "leah" meaning "woodland clearing" or "meadow". Together, these elements suggest the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a pool or lake in a woodland area.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name was spelled variations like Mærleah, Mærleage, and Mærlea in Anglo-Saxon times. These early spellings indicate the name's connection to the Old English language and its use among the Anglo-Saxon people of what is now England.

One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Marley of Corbeny, a 12th-century French knight and crusader who participated in the Third Crusade alongside Richard the Lionheart. His exploits were recorded in various chronicles and historical accounts of the time.

During the Middle Ages, the name gained popularity across Europe, particularly in England and parts of France. Notable individuals with the name include John Marley, an English composer and organist who lived in the late 16th century and is known for his contributions to church music.

In the literary world, the name is perhaps most famously associated with Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter and pioneer of reggae music, who lived from 1945 to 1981. His impact on music and popular culture has made the name widely recognized and celebrated globally.

Other notable historical figures with the name Marely or its variants include Marley Brant, a Dutch-American artist and engraver active in the 18th century, and Marley Dias, an American activist and author who gained recognition for her work promoting diversity in children's literature in the 21st century.

Throughout its history, the name Marely has maintained a connection to its Old English roots, while also adapting to various cultural and linguistic contexts across different regions and time periods.