Marley (surname)

Marley is an English-language surname with numerous etymological origins. In many cases, the surname is derived from any of several like-named placenames in England, such as those in Devon, Kent, Lancashire (Mearley), Sussex (Marley Farm) and West Yorkshire.^[1][2] The placenames in Devon, Kent, and West Yorkshire are, in part, derived from the Old English element leah, meaning "woodland clearing".^[2] Early forms of the surname are de Merlai, in about 1145–1165; de Mardele, in 1208; de Marley, in 1285; and de Marleye, in 1306.^[1] In the 17th century, the surname was taken to Ireland by a family from Northumbria.^[2] However, in some cases the surname in Ireland may be an Anglicised form of the Irish-language Ó Mearthaile^[3] (another suggestion is Ó Mearlaigh; it is unlikely to be an Anglicised form of Ó Murghaile).^[4] Notable people with the surname include:

• Bob Marley, Jamaican reggae musician
  Notable members of Bob Marley's family include:
  • Rita Marley, singer and wife of Bob Marley
  • Cedella Marley Booker, singer and writer, and mother of Bob Marley
  • Cedella Marley, musician and clothing designer, daughter of Bob Marley
    • Skip Marley, reggae musician, son of Cedella Marley
  • Damian Marley, reggae musician
  • Julian Marley, reggae musician
  • Ky-Mani Marley, reggae musician
  • Ziggy Marley, reggae musician
  • Stephen Marley, reggae musician
  • Rohan Marley, former pro football player
  • Norval Marley, father of Bob Marley
• Bob Marley, American comedian
• Bert Marley, American politician from Idaho
• Elsie Marley, 18th-century English alewife with a song about her
• Jack Marley, Irish boxer
• John Marley, American actor
• John Marley, English mining engineer
• Mickey Marley, a Northern Irish street entertainer
• Peverell Marley (1899–1964), American cinematographer
• Stephen Marley, British author and game designer

Fictional characters:

• Jacob Marley, fictional character in A Christmas Carol
• Elaine Marley, fictional character in Monkey Island (series)