Type Surname (from nickname)
Other Forms FormsAirlie, Airly, Early, Erley, Hearley, Harley
Meaning & History
The surname Earley originally derived from the Old English word Eorlic which referred to one who displayed manly characteristics.During the 17th and 18th centuries, many Irish Gaelic names were forcibly translated in English. The Irish O'Maolmocheirghe, often anglicized as O'Mulmohery and Mulmoher, began to be substituted with Early and Earley, a loose translation of the elements "moch" meaning early and "eirghe" meaning rising.