Show ContentsPaully History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Paully surname are uncertain. It may have derive from the Middle English words "pale," and "eye," in which case it was likely a nickname which evolved into a name. Or it may come from an Old Scandinavian personal name, "Palle," which was probably originally an ethnic name for someone from Poland.

Early Origins of the Paully family

The surname Paully was first found in Yorkshire where the name was first borne as a personal name by a powerful Dane mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle as Pallig A.D. 1101. 1

Early History of the Paully family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Paully research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1101, 1379, 1455, 1487 and 1591 are included under the topic Early Paully History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Paully Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Paully has undergone many spelling variations, including Paley, Pailey, Palley, Pallie, Pailley, Pailie and many more.

Early Notables of the Paully family

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


New Zealand Paully 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:

Paully Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Paully, aged 34, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
  • Kate Paully, aged 34, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Howrah" in 1874
  • Mr. John Paully, (b. 1840), aged 34, Cornish farm labourer departing on 26th August 1874 aboard the ship "Howrah" going to Taranaki, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th November 1874 2
  • Mrs. Kate Paully, (b. 1840), aged 34, Cornish settler departing on 26th August 1874 aboard the ship "Howrah" going to Taranaki, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th November 1874 2


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf


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