Meaning and Origin of the Name Manley

Originally, Manley was an Old English name. The meaning of Manley is “shared land” or “common clearing.” There is also some evidence linking the Irish surname “O’Mallory” to the same origins. Nowadays, the name Manley is more commonly spelled as Manlea or Manleigh.

Popularity

The popularity of Manley has fallen off since the 19th century, and fairly steadily so since the latter half of the 20th century. Manley has never been among the 100 top baby names in England.

Famous People Called Manley

Famous Manleys throughout history include Manley Henry, an American actor who featured as a guest star on the popular show “Scrubs” for ten years, Manley Carter, who was an American physician, soccer player, and an astronaut, and Manley James, a Brigadier in the British Army and a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

The surname of Manley has a much longer history and is most likely the origin of the names of the villages located in Devon and Cheshire. Manley in Cheshire is home to the longest-settled family of Manleys.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and popularity of other English boys’ names.