Show ContentsElley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Elley family

The surname Elley was first found in Bavaria, where the name was closely identified in early medieval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Like many surnames, Elley began as a personal name, a variant of the French name Eloy or Eloi, which itself came from the Latin name Eligius. Eligius comes from the Latin word "eligere," meaning "to elect or choose." As with many personal names dating from that era, Eloy gained its popularity because it had been born by a famous saint; St. Eloy was a 6th century saint who came to be known as the patron saint of smiths and horses.

Early History of the Elley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elley research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1541 is included under the topic Early Elley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Eloy, Elloy, Eley, Elley, Gloy, Gley, Loy, Ley and many more.

Early Notables of the Elley family

More information is included under the topic Early Elley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Elley 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:

Elley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • M. A. Elley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 1
  • Miss Lucy Elley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 1
  • Mr. John Elley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 1
  • Mr. Reuben Elley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 1
  • Mr. Thomas Elley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Elley (post 1700) +

  • Sir John Elley (d. 1839), British lieutenant-general, a native of Leeds, articled to a London solicitor, who enlisted in the Royal Horse Guards — then better known as the Oxford Blues
  • John Elley Hinchcliff (1777-1867), English sculptor who became the chief assistant in the studio of John Flaxman, R.A. and worked in that capacity for about twenty years 2


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  2. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020


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