The name Radley is an English given name derived from the Old English words "ræd" meaning "counsel" or "advice" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." It originated as a place name referring to a meadow where counsel or meetings took place.

The earliest recorded use of Radley as a personal name dates back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Radley de Caversham, a landowner in Oxfordshire, England, mentioned in historical records from around 1275.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Radley de Clyvedon was a prominent merchant and member of the Guild of Weavers in Bristol, England. He played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce during that period.

During the Renaissance, a scholar and theologian named Radley Wyntworth (1470-1542) gained recognition for his contributions to the study of biblical texts and his translations of religious works into English.

In the 17th century, Sir Radley Pemberton (1615-1688) was a distinguished English lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1681 to 1683.

Another notable individual with the name Radley was the English explorer and cartographer Radley Smythe (1723-1788), who was renowned for his detailed maps of the British colonies in North America during the 18th century.

Over the centuries, the name Radley has been relatively uncommon but has maintained a presence in various parts of England and other English-speaking regions. Its meaning and association with meadows and counsel have given it a distinctive character and historical significance.