Find out how popular the last name Nalley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Nalley.

Nalley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Nalley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nalley in America

Nalley is the 6598th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nalley surname appeared 5,134 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Nalley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nalley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Nalley

The surname Nalley has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "nafu" meaning "navel" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a meadow or clearing with a distinctive shape resembling a navel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where it appears as "William de Naveleye." This early spelling variation provides insight into the name's evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Navelley" and "Naveleye," in records from counties like Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire. These variations likely resulted from regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

The Nalley surname is notably associated with the English baronetcy of Nalley of Batsford Park, which was created in 1661 for Sir James Nalley. He was a prominent figure during the English Civil War and served as a member of Parliament for Gloucestershire.

Another notable bearer of the name was Robert Nalley (1642-1714), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "A Treatise on the Lawfulness of Instrumental Musick in Holy Offices" (1696).

In the 18th century, John Nalley (1707-1773) gained recognition as a prominent English architect. He designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Exchange in Bristol, which was completed in 1743.

The name also has a connection to the American South, where it is believed to have been introduced by English immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. One notable figure was William Nalley (1720-1795), a plantation owner and politician who served as a delegate from South Carolina to the Continental Congress in 1775.

Another prominent American with the surname was James Nalley (1825-1903), a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War. He later became a successful businessman and co-founded the town of Nalley, Georgia, which was named after him.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse bearers of the Nalley surname, spanning centuries and continents, and providing a glimpse into its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nalley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Nalley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nalley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Nalley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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