Show ContentsGorley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gorley family

The surname Gorley was first found in Lothian, where "Ingelram de Gourlay is believed to have accompanied William the Lion from England in 1174, and witnesses one of his charters about 1200." 1

Another source notes a Latin version of the forename (Ingelramus) and adds he "held land in Clydesdale and in Lothian. His son, Hugh de Gerley, possessed lands in Fife and Lothians, and some time after 1180 witnessed a charter by Ingelram de Balliol of the church of Inuerkileder to Abbey of Arnbroath. A later lngeramus Gerle was witness, 1244, Hugh Gurle and William Gerle were present at a conference at Roxbergh, 1254, and William, son of William Gerlay, made a gift to Abbey of Newbattle, 1293. " 2

The invasion by King Edward I of England in 1296 forced many to either "render homage" to the king or lose their lands, frequently dying by the sword. "Several of the name rendered homage in 1296, viz. Roger Gourlay, William de Gurleye, Huwe de Gerleghe, and Patrick de Gerleghe, parson of the church of Loghorwerde, all four of the county of Edinbergh (Bain, II, p. 208). Adam de Gurle of Roxburghe also rendered homage, and as Adam de Goerlay appears as witness at Roxburgh, 1304." 2

Early History of the Gorley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gorley research. Another 233 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1174, 1300, 1303, 1320, 1328, 1330, 1380, 1392, 1395, 1435, 1529, 1546 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gorley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gorley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gourlay, Gurley, Gourley, Gourlie and others.

Early Notables of the Gorley family

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

Migration of the Gorley family to Ireland

Some of the Gorley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gorley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gorley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Gorley, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 3
  • Hugh Gorley, who landed in South Carolina in 1772 3
Gorley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Augustus Gorta Gorley, aged 26, who arrived in Missouri in 1845 3
  • Joseph Garta Gorley, aged 23, who landed in Missouri in 1845 3
  • W Gorley, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Gorley (post 1700) +

  • Hugh A. Gorley, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 10th District, 1880-81 4
  • Ashley Gorley (b. 1977), American songwriter and producer who has nineteen number one singles and has over two hundred songs to her credit
  • Robert Gorley (b. 1962), American professional baseball player
  • Peter Gorley (b. 1951), English former professional rugby league footballer who has played for the England National Team (1980-1981) and Great Britain (1980-1981)
  • Leslie "Les" N. Gorley (b. 1950), English former professional rugby league footballer who has played for the England National Team (1977-1981) and Great Britain (1980-1982)


The Gorley 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: Profunda cernit
Motto Translation: He comprehends profound things.


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  3. 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)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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