Buckley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Buckley

What does the name Buckley mean?

The name Buckley first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in any of the places named Buckley, or Buckleigh, in England. Buckley is a local surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. The name may derive from the Old English "bok lee," meaning meadow, or field. The likely meaning of the name was "clearing in a beech wood" (with boc meaning beech tree and ley meaning wood, glade or clearing). The name could also have been construed from "bucc" meaning a buck or deer; or from the Welsh "bwlch y clai," meaning clay hole. 1

Early Origins of the Buckley family

The surname Buckley was first found in Cheshire where Buckley was an Anglo-Saxon local, with some of its houses later recorded in the Domesday Book. The first documented evidence of its existence dates from 1294 when it was described as the pasturage of the Manor of Ewloe, spelled as "Bokkeley". 2

Alternatively, the original spelling of the name was Bulclough, meaning "large mountains," and related specifically to a chain of mountains in central Cheshire in England. Whichever derivation, you choose, all point to Cheshire.

"The Buckleys of Cheshire have been for probably 200 years in the parish of Mottram-in-Longdendale. The name is at present best represented on and near the Lancashire border in the vicinity of Manchester, but it is also established in the counties of Derby, Lancashire, Stafford, Worcester, and in the West Riding." 3

Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times. Today we typically need to look beyond the spellings of these entries and concentrate on on a phonetic appreciation of the entries. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: David de Buckelay, Yorkshire; and Michael de Bokele, Suffolk. The Lay Subsidy Rolls include an entry for Christian de Bukkelegh, Lancashire, 1332. 4

Early History of the Buckley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buckley research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1517, 1524, 1537, 1547, 1568, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1583, 1584, 1593, 1610, 1635, 1641, 1650, 1659, 1698 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Buckley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buckley Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Buckley has appeared include Buckley, Bucklie, Buckly, Bulkely, Bulkley, Bulkelly, Boukley, Bulkaly, Bulkly, Bulklay and many more.

Early Notables of the Buckley family

Notables of the family at this time include

William Buckley (d. 1570?), an English mathematician, a native of Lichfield, educated at Eton, whence he was elected to a scholarship at King's College, Cambridge, in 1537
Robert or Sigebert Buckley (1517-1610), was a Benedictine monk who was professed at Westminster in Queen Mary's reign. "He was imprisoned on refusing to take the oath of supremacy, and remained in cap...

Buckley World Ranking

In the United States, the name Buckley is the 749^th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Buckley is ranked the 286^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,317 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Buckley is the 345^th popular surname with an estimated 1,833 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Buckley as 267^th with 22,746 people. 8

Migration of the Buckley family to Ireland

Some of the Buckley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 198 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buckley migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Buckley arrived in North America very early:

Buckley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Humphrey Buckley, who settled in Virginia in 1635
Ben Buckley, aged 11, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Susan and Ellin" 9
Ben I Buckley, aged 1, who landed in New England in 1635 9
Daniell Buckley, aged 9, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Susan and Ellin" 9
Humfrey Buckley, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buckley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Beni Buckley, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 9
William Buckley, who landed in Virginia in 1703 9
Martha Buckley, who landed in Virginia in 1704 9
Abraham Buckley, who landed in Virginia in 1704 9
Phineas Buckley in Philadelphia in 1713
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buckley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christian Buckley, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1810 9
Catherine Buckley, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 9
Samuel P Buckley, aged 30, who landed in North Carolina in 1812 9
Joshua Buckley, who arrived in Wilmington, Del in 1813 9
Joseph Buckley, who landed in New York in 1822 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buckley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Buckley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Thomas Buckley Sr., U.E. born in Pennsylvania, USA who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Loyalist agreement 10
Mr. Thomas Buckley Jr., U.E. born in Pennsylvania, USA who settled in Pennfield, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 listed as signing the Quaker Loyalist agreement 10

Buckley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Buckley, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1819
Maurice Buckley, aged 35, who arrived in Canada in 1823
William Buckley, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
John Buckley, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
Patrick Buckley, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Reward" from Cork, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buckley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Buckley Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Catherine Buckley, (b. 1764), aged 28, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bellona" in July 1792, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Miss Mary Catherine Buckley, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Buckley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Joseph Buckley, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. John Buckley, (b. 1782), aged 21, British convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1818 14
Mr. William Buckley, (b. 1780), aged 23, British solider who was convicted in Sussex, England for life for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1856 14
John Buckley, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr.Timothy Buckley, Irish convict who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bencoolen" on 24th April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia before being transferred to Tasmania via the "Admiral Cockburn" 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buckley migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Buckley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

D P Buckley, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1845
Mr. Daniel Buckley, (b. 1837), aged 21, Irish labourer from Ireland travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 17
Miss Dinah Buckley, (b. 1860), aged 5 months, British settler travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 18
Mrs. Bridget Buckley, (b. 1813), aged 47, British housekeeper travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 18
Mr. John Buckley, (b. 1831), aged 29, British labourer travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buckley migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Buckley Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. William Buckley, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 20
Luce Buckley, who settled in Barbados in 1660

Contemporary Notables of the name Buckley (post 1700) +

William Frank Buckley Jr. (1925-2008), American author and commentator, founder of the political magazine "National Review" in 1955 and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom 21
William Knapp "W.K." Buckley (1890-1978), Canadian founder of W.K. Buckley Limited, manufacturer of cold medicines under the brand name Buckley's Mixture and Jack and Jill in 1921
Francis "Frank" C. Buckley CM (1921-2016), Canadian president and spokesperson for the Buckley's company, best known for the phrase "It Tastes Awful. And It Works" slogan
Gail Lumet Buckley (1937-2024), American journalist and author of two multigenerational books about their ambitious Black middle-class family, daughter of singer and actress Lena Horne
Fred Buckley, American co-founder of Buckley Aircraft Company, based in Wichita, Kansas founded in 1929 but was bankrupt in 1931 after building only two planes
James R. Buckley (1870-1945), American politician, U.S. Representative from Illinois
James Lane Buckley (1923-2023), American politician and jurist. Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (1996-2023)
Dennis J. Buckley Jr., (1920-1943), United States Navy sailor who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star
Richard Buckley (1949-2021), American fashion editor, editor-in-chief of Vogue Hommes International, fashion editor at Women's Wear Daily, social editor at Vanity Fair, husband of 35 years to Tom Ford
Samuel Botsford Buckley (1809-1884), American botanist, geologist, and naturalist
... (Another 103 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Buckley family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Daniel Stanley Buckley (1920-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 22

HMS Repulse

Mr. Kenneth Robertson Buckley, British Lieutenant Commander, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 23
Mr. Victor Buckley (1919-1943), British Corporal Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking, but died whilst a Prisoner of War in 1943 23

RMS Titanic

Mr. H.E. Buckley (d. 1912), aged 34, English Assistant Vegetable Cook from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24
Mr. Daniel Buckley, aged 21, Irish Third Class passenger from Kingwilliamstown, Cork who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived in the sinking in life boat 13 24
Miss Catherine Buckley (d. 1912), aged 22, Irish Third Class passenger from Ovens, Cork who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 24

USS Arizona

Mr. Jack C. Buckley, American Fire Controlman Third Class from Kentucky, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 25

The Buckley Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nec temere nec timide
Motto Translation: Neither rashly nor timidly.

Sources +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bellona
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bencoolen
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
William Buckley. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) William Buckley. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Buckley%2C_Jr.
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html