Surname Stavelly - Meaning and Origin

Stavelly: What does the surname Stavelly mean?

The surname Stavelly is of Old Norse origin and was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The surname itself comes from "staf", meaning staff or pillar, and "fjall", meaning hill or mountain, suggesting the family's dwelling or origin could be related to such a location. Like many Northern European surnames, Stavelly may have described the occupation or location of the family when surnames first began to be used.

However, it's important to note that surnames have evolved over centuries, and their original meanings might have changed or be subject to different interpretations. It's also common for surnames to have more than one possible origin.

Therefore, while this interpretation provides an interesting insight, it might not be the definitive meaning of the Stavelly surname. The understanding and interpretation of the name can vary, depending on different historical, geographical, or personal contexts.

Stavelly: Where does the name Stavelly come from?

The surname, Stavelly, is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. It is derived from a very old name in Middle English – Stavelegh – which originated from the ancient town known as Staveley, a parish in the English county of Westmoreland. The name Stavelly is usually associated with the Northwestern region of England, particularly around Lancashire and Cumberland.

In more recent times, the name has been found among families who have settled in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a small number of families in the United States. It is also known to have various spelling variations, such as Stavely and Stawley.

The name Stavelly is derived from the words "Stael" or "stael" meaning a narrow path, as well as from the old English word "leigh" meaning a meadow. It is thought the family may have taken their name from the path which passed through their family meadow.

The Stavelly family includes a variety of people who are notable for their contributions to different industries, including education, science, music, and photography. Many members of the Stavelly family are also authors, painters and musicians.

Today, it is believed that there are thousands of Stavellys living in the United Kingdom, but the exact number is unknown. However, the Stavelly family has remained close-knit and still keeps records of family members who have moved away.

Variations of the surname Stavelly

Stavelly is an uncommon English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The origin of the name is from ‘Stavelee’, a place-name which is derived from the Old English words ‘stafa’ meaning ‘pillar’ and ‘leah’ which means ‘wood-clearing’ or ‘dell’.

Variant spellings of the surname Stavelly include Stavely, Stavley, Stavly, Stavelle and Stavelie. The surname may also be used as a given name in some cases.

Other surnames which have the same origin include Stavely, St medley, Stavel, Stavelo, Stavello, Stiovelly, Stoville, Stovill and Stovill.

In some cases, the surname has been confused with other surnames which sound similar. Examples of this include Staib, Steel (sometimes transliterated as ‘Staeb’ or ‘Staeib’) and Steinbach.

The Stavelly surname is relatively rare, with the name being most common in England and Wales. It is estimated that there are less than three hundred people bearing the name around the world.

Famous people with the name Stavelly

• Isla Stavelly: Isla Stavelly is an actress who has starred in movies such as The Mercy and Tango One.
• Charlie Stavelly: Charlie Stavelly is an actor who has appeared in films like Finding Your Feet and The Current War.
• John Stavelly: John Stavelly is an actor, known for his role in the series Holby City.
• Robert Stavelly: Robert Stavelly is an actor and producer whose movie credits include The Clinic and The Unborn.
• Lucinda Stavelly: Lucinda Stavelly is an actress known for her performances in What Makes Us Human and The Bavarian Bandit.
• Emma Stavelly: Emma Stavelly is an actress and a voice actor, known for TV shows like Chinese Girls and Skins.
• Mark Stavelly: Mark Stavelly is an actor and singer who has appeared in plays and short films.
• Polly Stavelly: Polly Stavelly is an actress who has been seen in shows like Death in Paradise and The Courtroom.
• Michael Stavelly: Michael Stavelly is a producer and actor best known for his work on Kids Nation, Chancers and Missing Lore.
• Evelyn Stavelly: Evelyn Stavelly is an actress known for her roles in the films Barking at Trees and The Nest.

Other surnames

StaveleyStavely