Contents [hide]

Henley History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Henley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Henley date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Henley family lived in one of the settlements called Henley in Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Surrey, and Warwickshire. The oldest of the parishes is found in Somerset where it was known as Henleighe in 973. The place names literally mean "high wood or clearing" 1 with the exception of the Shropshire parish which means "one frequented by wild birds." 2

Early Origins of the Henley family

The surname Henley was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from ancient times as Lords of the Manor of Henley, the main line of the family producing the Barons Henley, the Earls of Northington, the Barons Ongley and many other knightly branches.

John de Heneleghe was registered as holding lands in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

Gilbert de Henlega was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Worcester in 1181; Robert de Henlay in Yorkshire in 1270; and William Heneley in Northumberland in 1392. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Philipp de Heneley, Salop (Shropshire); and John de Heneleye, Warwickshire as holding lands in their respective shires. 5

Walter de Henley (fl. 1250), was a writer on agriculture, "is stated to have been a 'Chivaler,' and afterwards to have become a Dominican friar. Henley's original text has clearly been much garbled and interpolated in the extant manuscripts; the early text is said to be best represented in two manuscripts in the Cambridge University Library. They appear to date from the time of Edward I or Edward II." 6

Early History of the Henley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henley research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1612, 1613, 1653, 1679, 1692, 1696, 1708, 1711, 1756 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Henley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henley Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Henley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Henley include: Henley, Henlee, Henleigh, Henlie, Henly, Hendleigh, Hendley, Hendlie, Hendlee, Henelly and many more.

Early Notables of the Henley family

Distinguished members of the family include

William Ernest Henley, the poet; and Henry Henley (1612-1696), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Somerset in 1653
Anthony Henley (d. 1711), wit and politician, the son of Sir Robert Henley of the Grange, near Arlesford, Hampshire, M.P. for Andover in 1679, who married Barbara, daughter of Sir Edward Hungerford. S...
John Henley (1692-1756), generally known as Orator Henley, an eccentric London preacher, was born 3 Aug. 1692 at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where his father, the Rev. Simon Henley, had succeeded...
Robert Henley first Earl of Northington (1708?-1772), Lord Chancellor, was the second son of Anthony Henley [q. v.] 6

Henley Ranking

In the United States, the name Henley is the 1,428^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Henley family to Ireland

Some of the Henley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henley migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Henley or a variant listed above:

Henley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christopher Henley, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 8
John Henley, who landed in Virginia in 1658 8
Henry Henley, who landed in Maryland in 1667 8
John Henley, who arrived in Maryland in 1669 8

Henley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edmd Henley, who landed in Virginia in 1705 8
Samuel Henley, who settled in the Bay of Bulls in 1708
William Henley, who landed in Virginia in 1717 8
Ann, Dorothy, and Rebecca Henley all, who settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1725
Sigmont Henley, aged 41, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Robert Henley, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1822 8
George Henley, who arrived in Alabama in 1858 8

Henley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Henley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Henley was a fish merchant at Greenspond, Newfoundland in 1776 9
Mrs. Esther Henley U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 306 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 10
Mr. Simon Henley U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswickc. 1783 10
Adjt. James Henley U.E. born in Maryland, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he served in the Maryland Loyalists Regiment 10

Henley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Samuel Henley was a merchant of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1843 9

Henley migration to Australia +

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

Henley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Valentine Henley, British convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. John Henley, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
George Henley, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Thomas Henley, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 14
Mr. Thomas Henley, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henley 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:

Henley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Henley, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Anne Longton" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th October 1857 16
Mrs. Mary Henley, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Anne Longton" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th October 1857 16
Miss Mary Henley, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Anne Longton" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th October 1857 16
Mr. Patrick Henley, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Anne Longton" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 9th October 1857 16
Miss Jane Henley (Henby), (b. 1837), aged 26, British domestic servant, from Middlesex travelling from London aboard the ship "Metropolis" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th June 1863 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henley migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Henley Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Alice Henley and husband settled in Jamaica in 1722

Contemporary Notables of the name Henley (post 1700) +

Donald Hugh "Don" Henley (b. 1947), Grammy award winning American rock musician, best known as the drummer and one of the lead singers and songwriters of the band the Eagles
Darren Henley (1959-2022), better known by his stage name D. H. Peligro, an American punk rock musician and drummer for The Dead Kennedys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ashley Henley (1981-2021), American politician, Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives (2016-2021)
Lawrence Joel "Larry" Henley (1937-2014), American singer and songwriter, best known for co-writing the 1989 hit record "Wind Beneath My Wings"
Captain Robert Henley (1783-1828), United States Navy officer, eponym of the USS Henley (DD-762)
Elizabeth Becker "Beth" Henley (b. 1952), American dramatist and actress awarded the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Etta M. Henley, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1948 18
Elizabeth L. Henley, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly 17th District, 2000 18
Debra Henley, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oklahoma, 2008 18
Danny Henley, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2004 18
... (Another 35 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Henley family +

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Walter Henley (b. 1886), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th February 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1837
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html