Find out how popular the first name Standley has been for the last 30 years (from 1982 to 2011) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Standley by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Standley is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2011, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Standley.

The history of the first name Standley

The given name Standley has its origins traced back to Old English, derived from the elements "stan" meaning stone and "leah" meaning meadow or clearing. It was a locational surname initially, referring to someone who resided near a stony meadow or clearing surrounded by stones.

In its earliest recorded form, the name appeared as "Stanlegh" or "Stanleye" in various medieval English records and charters dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The name was particularly prevalent in areas of Lancashire and Cheshire, where many early bearers of the name resided.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing this name was Sir John Stanley, who lived in the 14th century (c. 1350-1414). He was a notable English nobleman and soldier who served under King Richard II and later became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

During the 15th century, the name gained prominence with the rise of the Stanley family, who were influential in the Wars of the Roses and later became Earls of Derby. Thomas Stanley (c. 1435-1504) played a pivotal role in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, helping to secure the throne for Henry VII and establishing the Tudor dynasty.

In the 16th century, Sir William Stanley (c. 1548-1630) was a notable English soldier and explorer who participated in the Anglo-Spanish War and later served as a colonial governor in Ireland.

Another famous bearer of the name was Silas Standish (1633-1705), an English Puritan minister and author who was among the early settlers of New England and served as a pastor in several Massachusetts towns.

Edward Stanley (1779-1849), an English naturalist and ornithologist, made significant contributions to the study of birds and published several influential works, including "A Familiar History of Birds" and "A Catalogue of the Birds of Derbyshire and Its Vicinity."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the given name Standley, reflecting its longstanding presence and significance across various periods and contexts.

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

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

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