Find out how popular the first name Seely has been for the last 9 years (from 2011 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Seely by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Seely is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 79% of people named Seely being female.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Seely.

The history of the first name Seely

The given name Seely is an English name derived from the Old English word "sælig," which means "blessed" or "happy." It is believed to have originated as a nickname or descriptive name given to individuals with a cheerful or content demeanor.

This name can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England, around the 5th to 11th centuries. It was likely used as a personal name during this time, though records from this period are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Seely is found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Sæli" in this historical document.

In the Middle Ages, the name Seely was occasionally used in religious contexts. For example, a nun named Seely de Longchamp is mentioned in records from the 12th century, though details about her life are limited.

During the Renaissance period, the name gained some popularity, particularly among the English gentry and nobility. Seely Littleton, born in 1537, was a notable English judge and legal scholar who served as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal under Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, Seely Bridgeman, born in 1616, was an English politician and member of Parliament who played a significant role in the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War.

Another notable figure with the name Seely was Seely Munday, born in 1683, an English poet and playwright who authored several works, including the tragedy "The Beau Defeated" and the comedy "The Tonbridge-Brewers."

Seely Fogg, born in 1707, was a British military officer who served in the Royal Navy and achieved the rank of Admiral. He was known for his service during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.

Seely Musgrave, born in 1833, was a British explorer and adventurer who traveled extensively in Central Asia and wrote about his experiences in books such as "Narrative of a Journey through the North-Western Provinces of India" and "Rambles and Studies in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Dalmatia."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Seely was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Seely, please contact us.

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