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There are approximately 102,142 people named Bailey in the UK. That makes it the 68th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 1,617 are named Bailey.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

England

Language of origin

English

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

English
Occupational Name

Related and similar surnames

Bailie
Baillie
Bail
Baile
Bailes
Baihley
Baeley
Baaley
Bahley
Baieley
Baihly
Baahley
Baely
Baelley
Baayley
Baiely
Baielley
Baighley
Bahlie
Bahly
Baialy
Baaly
Baeleys
Baially
Baghley

The Bailey surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

A name of office; a corruption of Bailiff, which is derived from the French bailler, to deliver. A municipal officer in Scotland corresponding to an alderman.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

BAILEY. BAILY. 1. From Bailli, in the arrondissement of Neufchatel ; Bailli in that of Dieppe, in Normandy; Bailey, a township in Lancashire ; or Bailie, a township in Cumberland. 2. Another form of bailiff, a title of office applied in many ways under our feudal and municipal laws, 3. A name given to the courts of a castle formed by the spaces between the circuits of walls or defences which surround the keep. Gloss. Arch.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.

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