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ArchivesMeaning/origin or OWSLEY
Can any tell me the origin of Owsley? I was in York and noticed the river Ouse, and a lea was nearby, thus the Ouse Lea ... but that may be far fetched. I was looking for a more profound meaning, a patronymic or refernce to something spiritual.
Any comment is appreciated, jakeowsley@hotmail.com
Any comment is appreciated, jakeowsley@hotmail.com
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Replies
Sorry, but if it's an English surname it's almost certainly a place name. I'm not sure about the 'Ows' part, but 'ley' is from the Old English legh, meaning "meadow" (c/f Ashley, Bradley, Morley, et cetera).
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
This message was edited 6/10/2005, 8:22 AM
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More . . .
According to the website below, Owsley was originally recorded as Ouseley, so your original surmise of "meadow near the river Ouse" may well be correct.
http://www.owsleyfamily.com/
I can't independently verify it, but this site seems to have a reasonable explanation of the origin of the river Ouse's name:
http://www.last-names.net/surname.asp?surname=Ouseley
Hope that helps :-)
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
According to the website below, Owsley was originally recorded as Ouseley, so your original surmise of "meadow near the river Ouse" may well be correct.
http://www.owsleyfamily.com/
I can't independently verify it, but this site seems to have a reasonable explanation of the origin of the river Ouse's name:
http://www.last-names.net/surname.asp?surname=Ouseley
Hope that helps :-)
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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