The Cooley Family History

What Does the Cooley Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Cooley, found in both England and Ireland, derives from the Old English words ‘colig’ and ‘col,’ which denote a very dark color, similar to that of coal. Variants of the Cooley surname include Colly, Coley, McCooley, Cullary, Couley, Cowley, and Colley. The German equivalents of Cooley are Kuhl and Kuhle. In England, the Cooley surname is widespread across the country, with the most significant concentrations located in Yorkshire, London, Herefordshire, Middlesex, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, and Staffordshire. In Ireland, the Cooley name has its roots in the northern region of Ulster. Additionally, a notable presence of Cooley families can be found in southwestern Scotland, particularly in the counties of Lanarkshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. In the United States, the earliest Cooley families established themselves in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, and New York. Among notable individuals bearing the Cooley surname are Ryan Cooley, a Canadian actor; Chris Cooley, a professional football player; David P. Cooley, a Lockheed flight test pilot known for his work with the F-117 Nighthawk; Mike Cooley, a singer, musician, and songwriter; William Cooley, a pioneer in early 19th-century Florida; Tonya Cooley, a reality television personality; Joe Cooley, an Irish musician; and John K. Cooley, a journalist and writer.