Show ContentsMabley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Mabley family

The surname Mabley was first found in Derbyshire at Mapperley, a township, in the parish of KirkHallam, union of Belper, hundred of Appletree. "The ancient Manor-house, a half-timbered building with gables, is now in three tenements." 1

In the Domesday Book of 1086, this township was known as Maperlie 2 and literally meant "maple-tree wood or clearing," from the Old English words "mapuldor" + "leah." 3

Mapperley in Basford located in Nottinghamshire is another point of origin for the family. One source notes that Thomas Mapurley was a considerable man at Nottingham in the reign of Richard II (1377-1399.) Originally known as Thomas Holt of Mapperley, Derbyshire, he changed his name to Thomas Mapurley to note his estates. He was under-sheriff of Nottinghamshire (c.1387-1391) and for period Member of Parliament for Nottingham in 1388 and 1391. He was Mayor of the Mapperley (1402-1403.)

Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times. Today we typically need to look beyond the spellings of these entries and concentrate on on a phonetic sound of the entries. Richard de Maborlay was a Freeman of York in 1353 and Thomas de Mapurleye was listed as holding lands in Nottinghamshire in 1381. 4

Early History of the Mabley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mabley research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Mabley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mabley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Maberly, Maberley, Mably, Mapperly, Mapperlie, Mapperley, Mabilie, Mabbilie, Mabilard, Mapilard, Mabbilar, Mabilar, Mabbiler and many more.

Early Notables of the Mabley family

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


United States Mabley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mabley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Mabley, who settled in Michigan in 1862
  • Christopher R. Mabley, who settled in Detroit in 1868
  • Christopher Mabley, who arrived in Michigan in 1868
  • Thomas Mabley, who settled in Michigan in 1877

Canada Mabley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mabley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Mabley, who settled in Ontario in 1871
  • Charles Mabley, who settled in Ontario in 1871
  • Albert Mabley, who arrived in Ontario in 1871

Contemporary Notables of the name Mabley (post 1700) +

  • Joseph Mabley, American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Jackson, Michigan, 1879-81, 1883-85 5
  • John A. Mabley, American politician, Village President of Glenview, Illinois, 1960 5


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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