Advertisement
Advertisement

Gulley Family History & Genealogy

4,175 biographies and 15 photos with the Gulley last name. Discover the family history, nationality, origin and common names of Gulley family members.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Gulley Last Name History & Origin

Add
Updated Jul 02, 2022

Summary

The Gulley surname comes from the Middle English word "golias," meaning "giant;" as such, it likely evolved from a nickname for a very large man.

History

This surname of GULLEY was a nickname for a giant or large man, originally derived from the Middle English word GOLIAS. This was taken from the Hebrew personal name GOLYAT (Goliath), which occurs in the Bible as the name of the champion of the Philstines, who stood 'six cubits and a span' but was defeated in single combat by the shepherd boy David (I Sam.17), who killed him with a stone from his sling. The name was rendered in medieval documents in the Latin form GULA. The name has travelled widely in many forms which include GULLE, GULLY, GULLYES, GOLLEY and GOLLY. It was not until the 10th century that modern hereditary surnames first developed, and the use of fixed names spread, first to France, and then England, then to Germany and all of Europe. In these parts of Europe, the individual man was becoming more important, commerce was increasing and the exact identification of each man was becoming a necessity. Even today however, the Church does not recognise surnames. Baptisms and marriages are performed through use of the Christian name alone. Thus hereditary names as we know them today developed gradually during the 11th to the 15th century in the various European countries. The earliest of the name on record appears to be Robert GULLE, who was recorded in Lincolnshire, England in the year 1273, and Johannes GULLE of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Robert de GOLEHEYE, was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377). A notable member of the name was John GULLY (1783-1863) the English sportsman, born in Wick near Bristol. A butcher to trade, he was the British heavyweight boxing champion (1806-08) and then became a publican. In the 1830's he took up horse-racing and won the Derby three times. He was MP for Pontefract (1832-37) and later became a colliery owner. He was the father of 24 childen. In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armoured warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe.

Name Origin

We don't have any information on the origins of the Gulley name. Have information to share?

Spellings & Pronunciations

We don't have any alternate spellings or pronunciation information on the Gulley name. Have information to share?

Nationality & Ethnicity

We don't have any information on the nationality / ethnicity of the Gulley name. Have information to share?

Famous People named Gulley

Are there famous people from the Gulley family? Share their story.

Early Gulleys

These are the earliest records we have of the Gulley family.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Gulley Family Tree

Discover the most common names, oldest records and life expectancy of people with the last name Gulley.

Most Common First Names

Updated Gulley Biographies


Popular Gulley Biographies

Gulley Death Records & Life Expectancy

The average age of a Gulley family member is 69.0 years old according to our database of 3,184 people with the last name Gulley that have a birth and death date listed.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Other Gulley Records

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Share memories about your Gulley family

Leave comments and ask questions related to the Gulley family.

Cancel
Back to Top