Contents [hide]

Haley History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Haley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Haley reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Haley family lived in Hawley, Somerset. The most probable derivation of this name suggests that it comes from the Old Norman word haugr, which means mound, and the Old English leah, which means clearing. Another derivation supported by some examples suggests that the name indicates tat the name is an Anglicized version of the place-name La Haule-De-Bec in Greteuil, Normandy. 1

Early Origins of the Haley family

The surname Haley was first found in Somerset, where Warin de Haulla is mentioned in 1154 and in 1165, he held a barony of eight fees in Devon. 2

Later in Yorkshire, Robert de Hallai was listed in 1166. And later again, John Hally was found in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1230. 3

It is from this latter entry that the famed astronomer Edmund Halley (1656-1742) hailed. While he was born in London, his rich father was "a member of a good Derbyshire family, had a soap-boiling establishment in Winchester Street in the city of London." 4

Turning the clock back again, we found the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had the following entries for the family: William de Hallee, Gloucestershire; John de Hally, Derbyshire; William de Hally, Derbyshire; and John Hally, Derbyshire. 5

Indeed, "Derbyshire seems to be the home of the Halleys. " 5

The same source claims the "Haleys of Yorkshire are a different stock, but I cannot identify the locality whence they are sprung." 5

And he goes on to note that Petrus Haley, Oxfordshire was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 and that Johannes de Haylay and Willelmus Havlay were listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 5

In our opinion, making such a distinction of names that phonetically sound the same but have small spelling differences is often incongruent. Moreover, none of the other sources make this claim.

Further to the north in Scotland, the records of the family are late. "William Hally in Perth, 1666, John Hally, portioner of Balbrogo, 1700. Seventeen persons of this name are recorded in the Dunblane Commissariot Record from 1602. " 6

But this same authority postulates that the name may also be "from Hailey in Deerness, Orkney. Thomas Halle, tacksman there, 1509." 6

Early History of the Haley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haley research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1340, 1350, 1374, 1390, 1393, 1394, 1401, 1402, 1404, 1408, 1509, 1511, 1557, 1603, 1629, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1650, 1656, 1673, 1679, 1684, 1690, 1694, 1695, 1702, 1705, 1716, 1719, 1742, 1743, 1759, 1772, 1790 and 1868 are included under the topic Early Haley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haley Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Haley family name include Hawley, Hawly and others.

Early Notables of the Haley family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Hawley (Hauley) (c.1340 or 1350-1408), Mayor of Dartmouth on fourteen occasions between 1374 and 1401 and elected MP for Dartmouth in 1390, 1393, 1394, and 1402, both a merchant and licensed privateer, conducted a number of naval operations in the English Channel and briefly held the post of deputy to the Admiral of England under Henry IV, organized the defense of Dartmouth in 1404 against an attack by a Breton fleet, which culminated in the battle of Blackpool Sands; Joseph Hawley (1603-1690), born in Parwich, Derbyshire, first settler of the surname in...
Another 165 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haley Ranking

In the United States, the name Haley is the 750^th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 7

Haley migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Haley family to immigrate North America:

Haley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Haley, and his wife, who were on record in Virginia in 1654
Derby Haley, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1685 8
Morris Haley, who landed in Virginia in 1699 8

Haley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joshua Haley, who landed in Virginia in 1701 8
Daniel Haley, who landed in Virginia in 1714 8
Joseph Haley, who landed in New York, NY in 1749 8
Jeremiah Haley, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1765 8
Richard Haley, who arrived in America in 1765 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Haley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J D Haley, aged 40, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1838 8
Rodger Haley, who landed in New York in 1845 8
Salisbury Haley, aged 40, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1846 8
Bridget Haley, who landed in New York in 1846 8
Capt. Haley, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Haley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Haley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Pierce Haley, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
Pierce George Haley, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Thomas Haley, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
Ann Haley, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
John Haley, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Haley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Joanna Haley, who arrived in Nava Sootia in 1831
Timothy Haley, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1833
Michael Haley, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Reward" from Cork, Ireland
Mary Haley, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Matilda" from Cork, Ireland
Patrick Haley, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Haley Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Charles Haley, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Haley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Haley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Dennis Haley, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Jeremiah Haley, (b. 1790), aged 29, Irish brick layer from Kilkenny who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Haley, (Hawley), English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. William Haley, (Medmer), English stock man who was convicted in Kent, England for 14 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Mary Ann Haley, English Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Haley migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Haley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Haley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th November 1874 14
Mr. Haley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th November 1874 14
William Haley, aged 27, a farm labourer, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Renfrewshire" in 1878

Contemporary Notables of the name Haley (post 1700) +

Alexander Murray Palmer "Alex" Haley (1921-1992), American writer, best known for his book Roots: The Saga of an American Family, for which he was awarded a special citation in 1977 by the Pulitzer Prize board
Nimrata Nikki Randhawa "Nikki" Haley (b. 1972), American politician, 116th Governor of South Carolina (2011-2017), 29th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2018)
George Richard "Dick" Haley Jr. (1937-2023), American NFL football cornerback for the Washington Redskins, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1959-1964)
Roddie Haley (1964-2022), American sprinter at the 1987 Pan American Games and 1987 World Championships, winning gold medals at both events
Matt Haley (b. 1970), American film director, art director and book illustrator artist
Fred "James" Haley (b. 1880), American Major League Baseball catcher for the Troy Trojans in 1880
James Andrew Haley (1899-1981), American politician, U.S. Representative from Florida
Linda Georgina "Gina" Haley (b. 1975), Mexican-born, American singer-songwriter, youngest child of the rock and roller Bill Haley
Harold Joseph Haley (1904-1970), American Superior Court judge who was murdered during a hostage incident in his courtroom
George T. Haley, American author and academic
... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Haley family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Leslie James Haley, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 15

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atwick
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html