[THURLEYONLINE]Thurley is a name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of migration that followed the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Thurley family lived at Hertfordshire, at Thorley.
The English language only became standardised in the last few centuries. For that reason spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Normon, French, Latin and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Thurley has been recorded under many different variations, including Thorley, Thorleigh, Thawley, Thurley, Thurlby, Thurleigh and many more.
First found in Hertfordshire where they were anciently seated as lords of the Manor of Thorley at the time of the taking of the Doomsday book Censis in 1086, a census initiated by King William, Duke of Normandy, after his conquest of England in 1066.
To escape the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many families boarded ships at great expense to sail to the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded and ridden with disease. Those that were hardy enough and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributers to the young nations of Canada and United States where they settled.
Thurleys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America. James Thorley who settled in Virginia in 1622; Jane landed in America in 1766; Henry Thurlley settled in Virginia in 1650; Thomas Thurlby settled in Philadelphia Pa.
Motto translated: By fidelity and confidence