This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. , a variant of Pawley, which see. (compare Poison for Paulson), (a) Local, a variant of Pooley; v. Pulley. It is probable that both (1) and (a) have contributed to the existence of these surnames.

1574. Robert Polley and Grace Gooddaye: Marriage Lic. (London).

1805. Married — William Polley and Elizabeth Hodsdon: St. George, Hanover Square.

(English) One who lived in, or near, the field containing a pool.

See under Polwhele. In the ancient deeds of the Cornish family, the spellings Polwhele and Polhill are employed indifferently. Nichol's Top. and Geneal., i. 180. The Polhills were certainly at Detling, co. Kent, in or before the reign of Edw. II. An old spelling of the family was Polley.

A known variation of Polwhele, or Polhill.

A manor in Cornwall, where, upon the authority of a distinguished member of the family, the late Rev. Rich. Polwhele, the historian of Cornwall, the family were seated before the Conquest, one Winus de Polhall having held it under the Confessor. From his descendant, Drogo de P., chamberlain to the Empress Maud, sprang the Polwheles of the West, and the Polhills of Kent and Sussex. Nichol's Top. and Geneal. i. 180.

The name is found written POLWHEILE, POLWHYLL, POLWHYLE, POLWYL, POLWEL, POLWELL, POLHAL, POLHILL, and POLLEY; and is derived from Polwhele, in Domesday Polhel, a manor occupied under Edward the Confessor by Winus de Polhal (Polwel or Polwyl). Pryce derives the name Polwhele from pol-whele, the pool work; or pol-gueul, the top of the field. According to Burke, the family claims Saxon origin.

Local. From Poilley, in the province of Orleans, France, whence the family originally came.

A location name in Cornwall in the Domesday Book, Polhel.