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