This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the sly,' the cunning. Middle English sly and sley.

Ralph Sly, Huntingdonshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John Sley, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

John le Siege, Oxfordshire, ibid.

John le Slegh, 8 Edward III: Freemen of York.

Juliana Slegh, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

1533-4. Henry Rowgholt and Matilda Slye: Marriage Lic. (London).

1610-11. William Slee, Devon: Register of the University of Oxford.

1658. Married — Thomas Sly and Sarah Drake: St. Thomas the Apostle (London).

1662. Edward Nelthorpe and Mary Sleigh: Marriage Alleg. (Canterbury).

1667. Henry Temple and Margaret Sligh: ibid.

The earliest references to this name locate it in Aberdeen, and it is possible that the name is of English origin, as many of the burgesses of the town in the thirteenth century were of English nationality. It may be mentioned however, that there are local place names from which the surname may have come. There is Sliach in Glengairn, Sleach in Strathdon, Slioch in Drumblade, a Sleich in Perthshire, and Slioch in Rossshire. John called Sleth was burgess of Aberdeen, 1271, and Andrew Sleth the same in 1275 (Fraser, p. 9, 11). Thomas Slech possessed land in Aberdeen, 1317 (SCM., V, p. 11), and there is on record a charter of land there by Andro Sleiche dated 1342 (Friars, p. 15). Patrick Slegh witnessed a charter of lands in Fife 1395 (Wemyss, II, p. 33), John Sleigh appears as guild brother in Aberdeen, c. 1438 (SCM., V, p. 45), and William Sleich was burgess of Glasgow, 1440 (LCD., p. 251). Robert Sleich was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1481 (NSCM., I, p. 29), and John Slycht witnessed a sasine in the barony of Bamff, 1507 (Bamff, p. 45). Ric' Sleyght de Culeyg was present at perambulation of the marches between Brokhole and Butterden in 1431 (Raine, 639), and as Richard Sleich, 'larde of Cumliche,' was one of an assize in 1433 (Swinton, p. xxxiv). John Slegh was master of the ship le Andrewe of Scotland in 1453 (Bain, IV, 1264). Patrick Sleich de Cunliche was juror on inquisitions on lands of West Reston and Swinton, 1495, 1500 (Home, 27; Swinton, p. lxxii), and Jeanna Sleith was retoured heir in the lands of Cumlege (Cumliche), Berwickshire, 1574 (Retours, Berwick, 5). John Sliche appears in Dunse, 1628 (Lauder). Sleiche 1569, Sleicht 1549.

= Sly, q.v.

This clerk was cleped hende Nicholas . . . And ther-to he was sleigh and ful privee.— Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 3199, 3201.

(English) One who was dexterous or skilled.

The same as Sly. Hence Sleeman signifies "a sly or cunning one." Slimmon is apparently a corruption of Sleeman.

The epithet sly did not primarily imply anything dishonourable; though like ' crafty ' and ' cunning,' it has since come to be taken in a bad sense. Though the family did not "come in with Richard Conqueror," the Tinker is quite right in asserting that "the Slys are no rogues." (Taming of the Shrew. Induct.) for as Mr. C. Knight observes, "the Slys or Sleighs were skilful men-cunning of hand. We are informed," he adds, "that Sly was anciently a common name in Shakspeare's own town."

From the Danish, Schlie; from the Dutch, Sluy; a personal name.

Sleigh: (Old Norse slethr), level land. The surname Slee may come from it. Sleeman is the occupant of a holding on the Sley.