Show ContentsKoly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Koly

What does the name Koly mean?

Koly is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Koly family lived in Derbyshire, in the area of Cully.

Early Origins of the Koly family

The surname Koly was first found in Norfolk where Hunfrid de Cuelai was listed there in the Domesday Book. 1 However, we must look to the aforementioned reference of Derbyshire to find the earliest land grants for the surname. And Ratcliffe Culey, a hamlet near the border of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, part of the civil parish of Witherley can be ruled out as the origin of the name as the hamlet's first reference was in the 1600's.

Early History of the Koly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Koly research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1559, 1606 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Koly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Koly Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Koly include Culley, Cully, Culy, Culey and others.

Early Notables of the Koly family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Koly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Koly family to Ireland

Some of the Koly family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Koly family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Kolys to arrive on North American shores: Samuel Culley who settled in Virginia in 1623; Charles Culley settled in New England in 1748; Edward Cully settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1829; John Culley settled in New York State in 1803.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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