Corley
Derived from the Irish surname "Mac Thoirdealbhaigh," meaning "son of Toirdhealbhach," which translates to "instigator" or "troublemaker."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 20,839 Americans carry the last name Corley. That puts it at #2,012 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 6.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 16,448 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Corley surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
21K
1 in 16,448
Census rank
#2,012
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
6.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
18K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 17,931 bearers of the surname Corley in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 6.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2012th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Corley, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.5%. The next largest groups are Black (20.1%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Corley
The surname Corley has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Corley, which is located in the county of Warwickshire. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "cor" meaning a bend or curve, and "leah" meaning a woodland clearing or meadow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where a Robert de Corleye is mentioned. The name also appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of Warwickshire from 1221, with a reference to a Hugo de Corleye.
In the 13th century, the name was spelled in various ways, including Corleye, Corlie, and Corleigh, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 contain an entry for a Richard de Corley in Warwickshire.
A notable figure in history with the surname Corley was Sir John Corley (c. 1530–1592), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Warwickshire in the latter half of the 16th century.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain Francis Corley (c. 1610–1670) fought on the Parliamentarian side and is mentioned in several dispatches and records from the conflict.
In the 18th century, a prominent figure was the Reverend Samuel Corley (1717–1801), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwick.
In the 19th century, Elizabeth Corley (1823–1892) gained recognition as an English painter and watercolorist, known for her landscapes and still-life works.
Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Herbert Corley (1875–1945), a British military officer who served in the Boer War and World War I, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant-General.
Over the centuries, the surname Corley has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Corley Ash, Corley Rocks, and Corley Moor, all located in the vicinity of the original village of Corley in Warwickshire.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Corley
Among Census respondents with the surname Corley, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.5%. The next largest groups are Black (20.1%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Corley bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Corley surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White74.5%
- Black or African American20.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Corley surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,872 | #2,012 | -7.5% |
| Count | 17,609 | 17,931 | 1.8% |
| Per 100K | 6.53 | 6.08 | -6.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Corley bearers went from 17,609 to 17,931 (+1.8% change). The surname moved down 140 positions in the national ranking, going from #1,872 to #2,012.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Corley
FAQ
Corley surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Corley?
The surname Corley holds position #2,012 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 20,839 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 6.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Corley surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Corley, the largest self-reported group is White at 74.5%. The next largest groups are Black (20.1%) and Hispanic (2.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.