indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname
Usage Medieval English
Other Forms FormsSeelie, Seeley, Seley, Seelye, Selye, Seily, Sealy, Seilie, Cilley
Meaning & History
Means "Blessed", "Happy", and/or "Lucky." By adding an Un- to Seely makes it "Unblessed", "Unhappy", and/or "Unholy." Used primarily in Northern England and Southern Scotland during the Middle English period but is derived from the Old English sǣl and gesǣlig. In Scottish folklore, the word was used to differentiate the Fae Folk (fairies) into the Good/Light Fae (Seelie Court) and the Bad/Dark Fae (Unseelie Court.) The word has survived to Modern English in the form of silly.