Surname Dineley - Meaning and Origin
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Dineley: What does the surname Dineley mean?
The last name Dineley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have come from the Old English elements 'denu' and 'leah', meaning a clearing in a valley. It has been in use in England since at least the early 13th century. Records show that the earliest known bearers of the name were Walter de Dynleye, recorded in 1221, and William de Dynleye, registered in 1271.
The name Dineley has a number of possible variations, such as Dinely, Dinley and Dynely. During the Middle Ages, when last names first began to be used to differentiate people, spelling variations were a common occurrence, as many names were spelled according to a person’s dialect or preferences. Hence the Dineley variations can be found in many different countries.
The Dineley surname has gone through multiple spelling changes over the centuries; however, the family has kept the basic elements of the name intact. This is one mark of its ancient origins, which still remain a source of pride and connection to the past.
In modern times, the Dineleys have spread across the world, from the United States to Australia and beyond. The family’s history and connections still remain alive, and individuals still carry the Dineley name with pride.
Order DNA origin analysisDineley: Where does the name Dineley come from?
The last name Dineley is believed to have originated in Hampshire, England during the medieval era. It is believed to have been derived from the Anglo Saxon name Denley and may have been used to refer to a person living in the parish of Denley in northern Hampshire. The surname has since spread throughout Great Britain, reaching Canada and the United States.
Today, Dineley is particularly common in Australia, where it ranks as the 1114th most common name in the country. Its provincial breakdown includes Victoria, with the highest number of bearers at 1310, followed by New South Wales at 1214, Western Australia at 858, South Australia at 441, Queensland at 436, Tasmania at 344, Northern Territory at 108, and the Australian Capital Territory at 59. Outside of Australia, Dineley is relatively common in England and Wales, reaching 745 people in the latter.
In the US, the name Dineley can be found scattered across the nation, mostly in small numbers. However, it appears fairly commonly in California, with a population of 349. Dineley is also present in Pennsylvania, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina. Canada is also a spot where the last name is present, with its greatest population residing in Ontario at 67.
Variations of the surname Dineley
The surname Dineley is most commonly derived from the Middle English and Old English name Dininge lea, which translates to a meadow of the people of a man named Dinge. Thus, the surname is typically linked to the Old English word 'ing', which means sons of, as well as a personal name Dinge.
Variants of Dineley include Dinely, Dynley, Denlay, Denley, Denly, Dunlay, Dinlay and Dinly. Other variations of the name found in different countries include Denli, Denloe, Dinli, Danley, Donlee, Donley, Donly and Donnley.
The Dineley surname can also be spelt differently across numerous generations and countries. Alternate forms of the name include Dinyly, Dyneley, Deeley, Deenley, Deenly, Dewnley and Denlyn. Foreign variants of the name include Denloe, Donli, Donley, Donnly, Donlee and Danley.
The surname can also appear with different beginning consonants, such as Finely, Tinely, Pinely, Kinely and Menely. Similarly, Dineley is a variation of Dainley, which is pronounced the same but is spelt with an 'a' at the start of the name.
The surname Dainley can also be merged and shared with other similar surnames. The combination of surnames include Denley-Caines, Dainley-Warner, Denley-Pratt, Dainley-Hess and Denley-Gollop.
Overall, the surname Dainley is steeped in history and is derived from many different spellings and surnames from different countries. It is a name which can easily change its spelling and pronunciation, yet remains closely linked to its ancestral origins.
Famous people with the name Dineley
- Alan Dineley: British actor and writer best known for playing the role of Mr Fowlds in the sitcom “Are You Being Served?”.
- Henry Dineley: English Entity of the Vicarage Station in the late 19th century, best known for his role in the development of the Midland Railway.
- Caitlin Dineley: British Olympic swimmer, won a bronze medal in the 200 meter butterfly at the 2012 Olympic Games.
- Mo Dineley: British comedian and actor, known for his role as Detective Constable Dave Miller in the British comedy series “The Thin Blue Line”.
- Adam Dineley: English footballer who plays for Northampton Town, and has also been capped internationally for England U-21.
- Max Dineley: British actor, best known for his major role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
- Jennifer Dineley: British singer and actress, best known for her roles on “Dancing on Ice” and in film “Bright Star”.
- Mark Dineley: British rugby player, represented England at the 1999 World Cup and played domestic rugby for Leicester Tigers.
- Stacey Dineley: British TV presenter, best known for presenting shows such as “The Hot Seat” and “The One Show”.
- Jake Dineley: Canadian chef, known for his appearances on the Food Network show “Chopped Canada”.