Surname Pauley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Tracing the Pauley Lineage: A Deep Dive into My Ancestral Roots Using an iGENEA DNA Test
The results from my iGENEA DNA test provided an enlightening glimpse into the cultural and historical origins of my surname, Pauley. Tracing my lineage to Britain, migration patterns to 19th-century America, and possible bounce-backs to Eastern Europe, the DNA test drew an exquisite yet straightforward map, tracing the footsteps of my ancestors who shaped my genetic constitution today.
P. Pauley
read morePauley: What does the surname Pauley mean?
The surname Pauley is of English and Irish origin. It is a variant spelling of the surnames Paul and Paule, derived from the given name Paul. The name Paul itself comes from the Roman family name Paulus, which means "small" or "humble" in Latin. In the context of the Irish origin, Pauley is seen as an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Phóil" which means "son of Paul". As surnames often served as identifiers, someone with the name Pauley could be assumed to be the descendant of a person named Paul. It's also plausible that those bearing the name Pauley could trace their lineage back to a small or humble individual, in reference to the Latin translation of Paulus. Like many last names, geographical distribution and spelling variations developed over time manifesting in several forms of the same root name, including Pauly, Pauli, and Paulie.
Order DNA origin analysisPauley: Where does the name Pauley come from?
The Pauley surname is widespread across the United States and the UK, and is found in a variety of other countries as well. In the US, Pauley is most prevalent in the South, with the highest concentrations recorded in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. It is also common in California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, and Virginia. Throughout the rest of the world, Pauley can be encountered in Canada, Australia, and many countries of Europe, notably Wales, England, Ireland, and Scotland.
The origin of Pauley is believed to be French, derived from the personal name Paul, which itself is derived from the Latin word “paulus” meaning “small” or “humble”. It is likely that the Pauley family in the US are descendants of a French Huguenot family who emigrated to the US in the 18th century. The family also has a long history in Scotland and England. Records show that the Pauley name can be traced back to a Norman nobleman, Sir William de Pauley, who had a large estate in Yorkshire in the 11th century.
Today, the Pauley surname can still be found in many of its traditional regions, and there are thousands of active bearers of the name in the United States alone. It is a fairly common last name, particularly in the Southern part of the country.
Variations of the surname Pauley
The surname Pauley is derived from the French name Paul, a name which has been used since the beginnings of Christianity. The Pauley surname can be spelt in several different ways including Pauly, Pawly, Pauli, Paoli and Paely.
Pauley is a relatively uncommon surname but over the centuries it has been adopted by several other families in different countries. Variants of the name, such as Pawley, are mostly found in the United Kingdom, while Paoli, Pauli and Paely variants are more frequently seen in countries such as Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
In the United States, the Pauley surname is predominantly found in the southern states, especially in California. In the UK, Pawley is usually found in Cornwall and Devon whereas Pauli is usually concentrated in the North West.
The name Pauley can also be seen as an Anglicised form of the Scottish and Irish Gaelic surnames MacPhàil and MacPhail. Similarly, the Welsh surname of Powell can also be derived from Pauley, due to the application of the ‘Pow’ prefix as a form of anglicisation.
In some cases the Pauley surname may be linked to localities such as the small village of Pauley in North Yorkshire as well as the upper part of Paviour Hill, located in the same county. While these are the most likely origin points, it is important to note that there may be other sources and meanings of the surname as it is likely to have roots through a number of different languages and cultures.
Famous people with the name Pauley
- Jane Pauley: American journalist, television personality, and author.
- Harry Pauley: British Ambassador and financial expert.
- Tim Pauley: American actor and director known for his work in television and films.
- Rob Pauley: Retired Major League Baseball player and coach.
- Anne Pauley: American actress best known for her roles on television shows such as Growing Pains.
- Francine Pauley: American singer, songwriter, actress and comedienne.
- Paul Pauley: British saxophonist best known for his work with prog rock bands such as Camel and Greenslade.
- John Pauley: Retired American professional basketball player who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Diane Pauley: American long jumper and Olympic silver medalist.
- Jonathan Pauley: American football player and coach who played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers.