The Notley surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from a habitational name from the places Black and White Notley in Essex. These place names derive from the Old English "hnut" meaning a "nut tree," and "le-ah," which referred to a clearing. [1]
The surname Notley was first found in Essex at Black Notley or White Notley, parishes, in the union of Braintree, hundred of Witham. These ancient Saxon villages date back to 998 when they were both known as Hnutlea. [1] By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, the village was known as Nutlea. [2] "White Notley and Black Notley formerly constituted one township, styled in Domesday Book Nutlea, Nutleia, and Nuchelea, and in other records Nutteslega and Nutelegh: the name is supposed to signify 'a nut pasture.' " [3] By the 13th century the villages had split to become Blake Nuteleye in 1252 and White Nuteleye in 1235. [1] Notley Abbey, an Augustinian abbey near Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire was founded between 1154 and 1164 by the second Earl of Buckingham, Walter Giffard and his wife, Ermengar.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Notley research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1665, 1676 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Notley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Notley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Notley include: Nottley, Notley, Notleigh, Nott and others.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Notley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Notley or a variant listed above: