Surname Koberley - Meaning and Origin
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Koberley: What does the surname Koberley mean?
The last name Koberley is believed to be of English origin. It is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century word ‘Cuberlai’. This may originally have been a locational name, referring to someone from a place called Ceorlleag, or one of the various places known by the similar sounding Ceorla or Cuberle in Lincolnshire. The original form of the name may have been 'de Ceorleag', or 'of Ceorla', examples of which appeared in Domesday Book of 1086.
The surname 'Koberley' first appeared in records in the mid 16th Century, with Thomas Koberley appearing in the register for Norfolk in 1543. The name primarily appears in Nottinghamshire, with a larger concentration in the East Midlands region and a further, smaller, concentration in Devon and Cornwall.
Another suggestion for the origin of the spelling 'Koberley' is derived from nick-names. It is suggested that 'Kober' is derived from 'Cobl', a variant of the Medieval English word 'coppe', meaning top or summit, and 'ley' would refer to a meadow or other clearing in the woods.
The Koberley surname is believed to have been brought to Ireland by Protestants, settlers from England, in the 16th and 17th centuries. The name continued to be used in Ulster counties, particularly Wicklow, and is common in England and Ireland alike.
Order DNA origin analysisKoberley: Where does the name Koberley come from?
The surname Koberley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. It is derived from the Middle English word "cop," which means hill or ridge, and "bergh," which means "hill." In Old English, this was spelled "kober," which eventually led to the modern-day spelling of Koberley. The surname is most common in the region of Devon in south-west England.
In Devon, records of the surname have been found as far back as the 12th century, with Walter Kohderlegh recorded in a tax register in 1198. The Koberleys were believed to be descendants of a Norman family who were close associates of the Earls of Devon. They lived near Ashburton, which was part of the larger parish of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Many members of the Koberley family were landowners and holders of manorial rights in the area.
Today, the Koberley surname continues to be found throughout Britain, with a few families living in other parts of the world, such as Canada and the United States. It is not very common, however, with fewer than 400 individuals in the United Kingdom sharing the name.
Variations of the surname Koberley
The surname Koberley can be found in various spellings all over the world. In England, it is found mainly in the form of "Koberly," while the most common variant in the United States is "Kobel." Other variants found in England include "Koberley," "Koberleigh," "Kobberley," and "Kobberly," while in the United States, it is sometimes spelled as "Koble," "Kobiel," "Kobelka," and "Kobell."
Koberley is also found as an anglicised form of the German surname "Köberlein," which is also spelled "Koeberlein," "Köbler," "Koebler," and "Kuebler." It is also used as a variant of the Germanic surname "Kobelius," in which it is spelled as "Kobelier," "Kobeli," "Kobelli," and "Kobell."
In addition, the surname is also found, sometimes with spelling variations, as an Irish surname. In Ireland, the surname Koberley is often spelled as "Kovarley," "Gooverly," "Gooverley," and "Gooberley." Another variant of the surname is "Goverley," which is an Irish phonetic variant.
Variations of the surname can also be found in the other parts of Europe and the United States, such as "Koberl," "Koble," "Kobelisen," and "Kobler." Additionally, there are at least a dozen other variant spellings of the surname.
Overall, it can be seen that the surname Koberley is very versatile, and can be found in a variety of spellings and origins.
Famous people with the name Koberley
- Alison Koberley: British actress known for her roles in tv series like Brookside, Holby City and Doctors.
- Christa Koberley: American filmmaker and singer, winner of Best Music Video at the Europe Independent Film Awards.
- Mabel Koberley: English suffragette and writer, leader of the Women's Social and Political Union in the early 1900s.
- Peter Koberley: Canadian politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
- Willie Koberley: American jazz drummer, best known as a member of the Star Orchestra.
- Paul Koberley: British jazz flutist widely known as a member of the Jazz Crusaders.
- Hazel Koberley: British actress and dancer, known for her appearances in musical theatre productions.
- Melissa Koberley: American Olympic biathlete, winner of gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Ryan Koberley: American pro skateboarder, competing for the US Beastiality Skateboard Team.
- Geoffrey Koberley: British author and illustrator of children's books, known for his Ladybird series.