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

Trolley, 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 Trolley surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Trolley in America

Trolley is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Trolley surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Trolley.

The history of the last name Trolley

The surname Trolley finds its origins in England, predominantly during the late medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word trolle, meaning to drag or to trail, which may have been used to describe a person's occupation or characteristics. The name is also similar to the Middle English word trollien, which means to roll or to wander.

The earliest records of the surname appear in the 14th century. One notable mention is John Trolley, recorded in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1379. This indicates that the name was not uncommon in northern England at that time. Another early example is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327, where a William Trolley is listed. These documents suggest that the surname was established in various regions of England by the early 14th century.

In historical texts, variant spellings such as Trollie and Trolly are also observed, reflecting the fluidity of spelling in the medieval English language. An example is Richard Trollie, who appears in the Feet of Fines in Lancashire in 1431. These records provide insight into the distribution and social status of individuals bearing the surname Trolley during this period.

One prominent figure with the surname was Sir James Trolley, a merchant and alderman in London during the late 15th century. Born around 1450, Sir James played a significant role in the city's trade and political life until his death in 1510. His contributions are documented in various city records, highlighting the emergence of the Trolley name in urban settings.

The Trolley surname also appears in early colonial America. Thomas Trolley, born in 1609, was one of the early settlers in Virginia, arriving in the 1620s. His presence in the New World marks the transatlantic spread of the surname and its establishment in early American society.

Another notable figure is Elizabeth Trolley, born in 1618, who was a known herbalist and healer in the rural regions of East Anglia. Her practices and remedies are recorded in local parish registers and provide a glimpse into the lives of women bearing the surname during the early 17th century.

Lastly, a fascinating mention is George Trolley, an English sailor born in 1682, who served in the Royal Navy and was involved in notable naval battles of the early 18th century. His maritime career is chronicled in naval logs and muster rolls, reflecting the adventurous spirit often associated with the surname.

The surname Trolley demonstrates a rich and varied history, with its roots firmly planted in medieval England and its branches extending across the Atlantic and into various facets of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Trolley

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Trolley 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.

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

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

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