Find out how popular the first name Selby has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Selby by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Selby is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 68% of people named Selby being female.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Selby.

The history of the first name Selby

The name Selby is of English origin, deriving from an Old English surname that referred to a person living near a willow grove or willow farm. The name is believed to have originated in the early Middle Ages, sometime between the 5th and 11th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Selby can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as a place name referring to the town of Selby in Yorkshire, England. The town's name likely stemmed from the Old English words "sealh" meaning willow and "by" meaning a farm or settlement.

In the 12th century, a Benedictine abbey was established in Selby, Yorkshire, which became an important religious and cultural center during the Middle Ages. The town and abbey of Selby are mentioned in various historical records and chronicles from this period, further solidifying the name's origins and usage.

One notable historical figure with the name Selby was Walter de Selby, a 13th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Worcester from 1268 to 1282. Another prominent individual was Waltheof de Selby, a 12th-century English nobleman and landowner in Yorkshire.

During the Renaissance period, the name Selby was occasionally used as a given name, particularly among the English gentry and aristocracy. One example is Sir William Selby (1556-1638), an English courtier and politician who served as a member of Parliament during the reign of King James I.

In the 18th century, Selby Armstrong (1736-1800) was a renowned English botanist and physician who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in Yorkshire. Later, in the 19th century, Selby Smyth (1828-1904) was a prominent English architect known for designing several notable buildings in London.

Throughout its history, the name Selby has maintained a strong connection to its English roots, with many individuals bearing this name hailing from or having ties to the Yorkshire region and the town of Selby itself.

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 Selby was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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