Golley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Golley surname comes from the Middle English word "golias," meaning "giant;" as such, it likely evolved from a nickname for a very large man.

Early Origins of the Golley family

The surname Golley was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1206 when Hugh Golie held estates.

Early History of the Golley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Golley research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1225, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Golley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Golley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gully, Gulley, Golly, Golley, Gullie, Gullee and many more.

Early Notables of the Golley family

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

Golley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Golley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Peter Golley, who landed in Maryland in 1666-1750 1

Golley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Dominick Golley, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 1

Golley 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:

Golley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Jason Henry Golley, (b. 1844), aged 30, Cornish settler departing on 1st September 1874 aboard the ship "Assaye" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th December 1874 2
Mrs. Thomasine Golley, (b. 1853), aged 21, Cornish settler departing on 1st September 1874 aboard the ship "Assaye" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th December 1874 2
Miss Thomasine Golley, (b. 1874), aged Infant, Cornish settler departing on 1st September 1874 aboard the ship "Assaye" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th December 1874 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Golley (post 1700) +

Julian Quintin Patrick Golley (b. 1971), British gold medalist triple jumper at the 1994 Commonwealth Games
Mark Golley (b. 1962), former professional footballer from Beckenham, England
Timm Golley (b. 1991), German footballer

The Golley Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nil sine cruce
Motto Translation: Nothing without the cross.

Citations +

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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Auckland 1872-80 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf