Audley

Audley is an English given name derived from a surname of habitational origin. The surname originated from a place name combining the Old English personal name Ealdgyð (meaning "old battle") with lēah ("woodland clearing, glade"), thus signifying "Ealdgyð's clearing."

Etymology

The underlying personal name Ealdgyð is composed of the Old English elements eald "old" and guð "battle," akin to the Germanic name Aldegund. A related root is Adalgund, from adal "noble" and gunda "war," showing the Germanic tradition of compound names with martial elements.

Notable Bearers

Audley has been used both as a surname and a male first name. Notable historical figures include Sir Thomas Audley (c. 1488–1544), an English judge and Lord Chancellor under Henry VIII, and James Audley (c. 1318–1369), one of the founder knights of the Order of the Garter. The name also appears in literature, such as in the character Audley Hall in Wilkie Collins's novel The Dead Secret.

Distribution

As a surname, Audley is uncommon; according to the 2010 United States Census, it ranked 62,714th, with 319 bearers. It also persists as a place name in Staffordshire, England, and in Sutherland Shire, Australia.

• Meaning: From Old English "Ealdgyð's clearing"
• Origin: English (surname turned given name)
• Type: Masculine given name
• Usage: Primarily English-speaking regions