Gulley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Gulley 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 Gulley family
The surname Gulley 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 Gulley family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gulley research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1225, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Gulley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gulley Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Gully, Gulley, Golly, Golley, Gullie, Gullee and many more.
Early Notables of the Gulley family
More information is included under the topic Early Gulley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gulley Ranking
In the United States, the name Gulley is the 3,039th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1
Gulley migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Gulley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Anne Gulley, who settled in Virginia in 1667
Gulley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Richard Gulley, who settled in America in 1772
Gulley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- John Gulley, aged 31, who landed in America, in 1892
Gulley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Mrs. T. K. Gulley, aged 30, who settled in America from London, in 1903
- William Gulley, aged 66, who immigrated to New York, America, in 1907
- Frank B. Gulley, aged 30, who settled in New York, N. Y., in 1913
- Francis Gulley, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States from Tralla, Ireland, in 1914
- Joseph Gulley, aged 16, who immigrated to the United States, in 1918
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gulley migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Gulley Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
- Francis Edward Gulley, aged 34, who immigrated to Calgary, Canada, in 1915
Contemporary Notables of the name Gulley (post 1700) +
- Steve Gulley (1962-2020), American singer-songwriter of bluegrass music
- Wilbur P. "Wib" Gulley, American politician, attorney and former state and mayor of Durham, North Carolina
- Jim Gulley, American politician, Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Thomas Jefferson Gulley (1899-1966), American Major League Baseball right fielder
- Robert Gulley Jr., American politician, Member of North Carolina State Senate from Johnston County, 1807 2
- Robert Gulley, American politician, Member of North Carolina House of Commons from Johnston County, 1806 2
- N. Y. Gulley, American politician, Member of North Carolina State House of Representatives from Franklin County, 1885-86 2
- C. V. Gulley, American Republican politician, Arizona Republican State Chair, 1945 2
- Miss Catherine B. Gulley (1908-1962), English watercolour portrait and genre painter
- Dr. James L. Gulley, American Director, Clinical Trials Group within the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology
- ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The Gulley 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.
Suggested Readings for the name Gulley +
- John Gulley Genealogy: A Planter in Alabama and Arkansas and His Descendants: Also the Families of Bizzell, Godley, Lingon, Mendenhall, Purifoy and others of England and Colonial America by John Paul.
Citations +