Marley (surname)

Marley is an English-language surname with numerous etymological origins. In many cases, the surname is derived from any of several like-named placenames in England, such as those in Devon, Kent, Lancashire (Mearley), Sussex (Marley Farm) and West Yorkshire.^[1][2] The placenames in Devon, Kent, and West Yorkshire are, in part, derived from the Old English element leah, meaning "woodland clearing".^[2] Early forms of the surname are de Merlai, in about 1145-1165; de Mardele, in 1208; de Marley, in 1285; and de Marleye, in 1306.^[1] In the 17th century, the surname was taken to Ireland by a family from Northumbria.^[2] However, in some cases the surname in Ireland may be an Anglicised form of the Irish-language Ó Mearthaile^[3] (another suggestion is Ó Mearlaigh; it is unlikely to be an Anglicised form of Ó Murghaile).^[4] Notable people with the surname include:

• Bob Marley, Jamaican reggae musician
  Notable members of Bob Marley's family include:
  • Rita Marley, singer
  • Cedella Marley Booker, singer and writer, and mother of Bob Marley
  • Cedella Marley, musician and clothing designer, daughter of Bob Marley
  • Damian Marley, reggae musician
  • Julian Marley, reggae musician
  • Ky-Mani Marley, reggae musician
  • Ziggy Marley, reggae musician
  • Stephen Marley (musician), son of Bob Marley
  • Rohan Marley, former pro football player
  • Norval Marley, father of Bob Marley
• Bert Marley, American politician from Idaho
• Mickey Marley, a Northern Irish street entertainer
• Stephen Marley (writer), British author and game designer

Fictional characters:

• Jacob Marley, fictional character in A Christmas Carol
• Elaine Marley, fictional character in "Monkey Island (series)"

References

1. Reaney, Percy Hilde (1995), Wilson, Richard Middlewood, ed., A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.), Oxford University Press, p. 299, ISBN 0-19-8631464.
2. Marley Family History, Ancestry.com, retrieved 6 May 2012. This webpage cites Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4.
3. MacLysaght, Edward (1964), A guide to Irish surnames (2nd ed.), Genealogical Book Company, p. 147.
4. MacLysaght, Edward (1964), Supplement to Irish families, Genealogical Book Company, p. 109.