Contents [hide]

Verley History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Verley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Verley reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Verley family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Verley family lived in Verly, or Verlai, Normandy

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Robert de Verlie, Normandy 1180-95 and Robert de Verli held land in Norfolk in 1086. Hugh and William de Verli held lands in Essex and York and later, Torald de Verli gave lands to Salop Abbey, c. 1100. 1

"One of these two Roberts was probably the founder of Swine Priory in Yorkshire. 'This Priory (according to Tanner) was founded before the reign of Stephen by Robert de Verb, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In the reign of Henry I. there was a Hugo de Verli who gave to John Lascels half a carucate at Swine; and in 1184 one of the same name gave 40s. to the King that he might be quit of his oath in a plea of land against William de Ottringham. Robert de Verli, 5 Hen. III., grants to Henry de Pocklington and Margaret his wife the homage of John de Wilton. Another Henry de Verli is mentioned in a subsequent page of the Chartulary. From these several circumstances it may be inferred that the De Verlis were residents in Holderness." 2

Early Origins of the Verley family

The surname Verley was first found in Norfolk where they were descended from Hugh and Roger De Verleio, two knights of St. Martin De Aubigny in Manche in the arrondisement of Coutances in Normandy. R. de Verli was granted lands in 1066 in Norfolk and was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. 3

Another Roger de Virlie or Verly, was Baillif of Norwich. Norfolk in 1335. "This Roger was bailiff several times. He is entered Verley in 1343, and Verli in 1344. " 4

Alternatively, the name could have been a local surname having derived from Verley (Virley), a parish, in the union of Lexden and Winstree, hundred of Winstree in Essex. 4 5 6

A very small parish, having only 68 people by the late 1800's, this origin is questioned by Reaney, "The surname cannot derive, as has been suggested, from Virley (Essex) which is not so called before the 16th century. It was originally Salcota, later Salcote Verly, from its Domesday lord Robert de Verli, who came from Verley (Aisne.) " 7

Reaney does note that Hugo de Verli was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1219 and Thomas Virley was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275 in Suffolk. He supposes that the name may have been a southern form of Farleigh and is the only author to do so. 7

We agree with Reaney's phonetic match of Varley and Farleigh. However, in our humble opinion, we feel that as the lion's share of researchers point to Virley, Essex and Norfolk as points of origin for the family, we question Reaney's opinion. Moreover, Reaney, himself noted Salcote Verly as a former name for Virley, Essex.

Early History of the Verley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Verley research. Another 257 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1275, 1319, 1322, 1324, 1596, 1725, 1748, 1795 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Verley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Verley Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Verley family name include Varley, Verley and others.

Early Notables of the Verley family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Charles Varley or Varlo (1725?-1795?), an English agriculturist, born in Yorkshire. "He visited Ireland in his twenty-first year, spending some time with Edward Synge, Bishop of Elphin. In 1748 he would seem to have been farming on his own account in the county of Leitrim, and to have been also an early experimenter in the turnip...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Verley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Verley Ranking

In France, the name Verley is the 6,526^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Verley family to Ireland

Some of the Verley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 130 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Verley migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Verley family to immigrate North America:

Verley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Peter Verley, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 9

Verley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margret Verley, aged 19, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "St Patrick" in 1851 10
J. Verley, aged 28, Jamaican settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Claribel" in 1879 10
A. Verley, aged 8, Jamaican settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Claribel" in 1879 10
A. Verley, aged 8, Jamaican settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Claribel" in 1879 10
Bobby L. Verley, aged 11, Jamaican settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Alvo" in 1884 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Verley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Joseph Verley, aged 26, Belgium settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Finland" in 1903 10
Alice Verley, aged 2 months, Belgium settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Finland" in 1903 10
Archer Norman Verley, aged 15, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Baltic" in 1904 10
Rodger Verley, aged 23, Jamaican settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Trent" in 1906 10
Challie Verley, aged 43, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Caronia" in 1906 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Verley (post 1700) +

Ilona Verley, Canadian-American drag queen
Renaud Verley (b. 1945), French actor, brother of Bernard
Flossie Ivy de Verley (1879-1963), Jamaican artist
Bertie Verley (1873-1907), Jamaican cricketer
Bernard Verley (b. 1939), French actor and producer

The Verley 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: Magna est Veritas
Motto Translation: Great is truth.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result