Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Morley

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      From the moor field

      Variations

      Marley, Mobley, Mosley
      The name Morley traces its origins back to medieval England, where it developed from the combination of two elements: mor, meaning moor or open country, and ley, translating to field or clearing. As such, Morley directly translates to From the moor field, indicating that individuals with this name were likely associated with or hailed from an area marked by open country or cleared land. The name Morley emerged during a time when names were becoming more commonplace as a means of identification, often derived from one's occupation, location, or personal characteristics.

      Throughout history, the name Morley has appeared in various records and documents, showcasing its longevity and prevalence. In earlier times, it could be found in local registers and land deeds, often denoting landowners and individuals associated with agricultural activities in moorland regions. Over time, the name expanded beyond its original geographic boundaries, finding its way into wider populations through migration and movement. Today, Morley remains a relatively common name in English-speaking countries, and its significance as a last name continues to evoke a connection to the moor fields of the past. In modern-day usage, individuals with the name Morley can be found across a range of professions and walks of life, carrying on a name that provides a link to an ancestral heritage rooted in English landscapes.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Morley.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Morley.
      James

      James

      This is the most common name for a child of a Morley.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1910 is when there were the most people born with the first name Morley.

      Explore the origins of another name.