Surname Gourley - Meaning and Origin

Gourley: What does the surname Gourley mean?

The last name Gourley is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Middle English personal name "Gorlegh." Notably, the surname has an alternate spelling of Gorley.

The origin of Gourley is attributed to a Scottish family in Angus in the 13th century. This family was loyal to the monarchy and as a result, were granted a barony. While this barony fell into disinheritance, the name endured. As a result, Gourleys are found predominantly in Scotland, but also within other parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern England.

In terms of etymology, Gourley is believed to come from the Middle English and Old French word "gorlegh," which means heathland. Thus, the surname could have been used to indicate someone who lived in the region.

Today, many descendants of the Gourley surname continue to live in Scotland, and are proud of their fascinating heritage. Gourleys are especially proud of being Scottish and often refer to themselves as "Gowrilhill" or "Gowriehill," a former spelling of the name Gourley.

Whether stemming from a well-established family of nobility, or from a humble home in heathland, Gourleys today remain proud of their heritage and celebrate their family name with valor.

Gourley: Where does the name Gourley come from?

The surname Gourley is mainly located in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is a common Scottish and Irish name, with its origins derived from the Gaelic language. In Scotland, the name originated in Galloway, where it was associated with the MacGregor clan.

The locals of this region still use this name today, however, its reach is much broader. Statistics from the United Kingdom show that across all countries in the British Isles, over 11,000 people have the surname Gourley.

In Canada, Gourley is found in various provinces, yet the largest concentration of Gourleys is in Alberta. According to 2016 census data, there are over 700 with this surname in Canada, mostly living in the Edmonton region.

In the United States, the surname is popular throughout the New England states, with people of the name popping up in California, Texas, and Florida too. Various branches of Gourleys emigrated from the UK over the years, as New York City saw immigrations in the 19th century from Cork and Belfast, and Chicago from Limerick and Aberdeen.

The name is undoubtedly more popular in other parts of the world with many Gourleys appearing in Southern Africa, specifically South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Australian Census of 2016 reported over 700 people with the last name Gourley living in the country, making it an increasingly commonplace name in the nation.

Variations of the surname Gourley

The surname Gourley has a variety of alternate spellings and variants, as well as surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant spelling is Gourlay, as well as the Scots or Irish versions, MacGorley, Gorley, and Gourley.

Spelling variations of the surname include O’Gorley, McGorly, Gorley, Gourlay, Gwereley, Gurely, Gurelay, Gureley, Gaurely, Gaurelay, Gaureley, Gurelee, Gaurelee, Gawrly, Goerly, Gorkley and many more.

The surname originated from the Cumbria area of northwest England, and is a derivative of the old Norse name 'Guti-hlaifi', which literally translates as 'Gut's Hlief'. Given the geographic and family origin of the Gourley surname, it is likely of Norse descent.

Variants and surnames of the same origin of Gourley include Gebhardt, Gerloff, Grewell, Gruhl, Gruhlke, Gustafson, Guthleep, Guthleif, Guthlief, Guthoff and Gutlohn.

The surnames Gutloh, Gole, and Galloway are also derived from the same old Norse name and thus, are also considered to have the same origin as Gourley.

Famous people with the name Gourley

• Ryan Gourley, Musician
• E. Gordon Gourley, Composer
• Henry Gourley, Author
• Alejandro Gourley, Actor
• Sam Gourley, Scientist
• Ray Gourley, Carpet Designer
• Terri Gourley, Artist
• Bob Gourley, Video Game Designer
• Joe Gourley, Entrepreneur
• Melinda Gourley, Author
• Georgia Gourley, Baroness
• Margaret Gourley, Storyteller
• Patti Gourley, Voice Actor
• Sharon Gourley, Legal Aid Advocate
• Suzan Gourley, Film Producer
• Eva Gourley, Actor
• Katherine Gourley, Costume Designer
• Emma Gourley, Choreographer
• Franco Gourley, Fashion Designer
• Ryan Gourley, Dreamland Researcher

Other surnames

Gourlay