Show ContentsParly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Parly is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the county of Hertfordshire, where they took their name from the parish of Barley. This parish dates back to Saxon times when it known as Beranlei c. 1050. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, it was known as Berlai and probably meant "woodland clearing of a man called Be(o)ra," from the Old Egnlish personal name + "leah." 1

The township of Barley in Lancashire dates back to at least 1324 when it was known as Baylegh. 1 It has a similar origin but in early days had a different spelling.

Early Origins of the Parly family

The surname Parly was first found in Herefordshire where the Saxon name Leofric de Berle was recorded c. 975. 2 In Warwickshire, Jordan Barlie was listed there in the Assize Rolls for 1221. In Cambridgeshire, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include William de Berele. 3

According to Reaney, Barleyman is an interesting variant. It is a "metonymy for a maker or seller of barley-bread or cakes." and in this case, Josce Barlibred who was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Norfolk for 1185 is the first entry. 2

Early History of the Parly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Parly research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1451, 1466, 1487, 1501, 1521, 1529, 1557, 1565, 1591 and 1614 are included under the topic Early Parly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Parly 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 Parly 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Parly include: Barley, Barly, Barely, Barle, Barlay and others.

Early Notables of the Parly family

Notables of the family at this time include William Barley (1451-1521) of Albury, Hertfordshire. He was attainted of treason for his support of Perkin Warbeck and lost all his lands. Pardoned in 1501, he was once again in possession of his lands, including the manors of Wicken, Elsenham, Albury, Wickhamstead and Moulsham. he was High Sheriff of...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Parly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Parly family

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 Parly or a variant listed above: Anthony Barley who settled in Virginia in 1653; Elizabeth Barley settled in Barbados in 1654; Michael Barle arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1751.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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