This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Stanley.' There are at least ten ecclesiastical parishes of this name in England ('the stony meadow'). For suffix, v. Legh, Lee, or Lees.

William de Stanlegh, Wiltshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John de Stanleye, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Johannes de Staynlay, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Robertus de Stanelay, 1379: ibid.

Robertus de Stanelegh, 1379: ibid.

1578-9- Edward Stanley, Lancashire: Register of the University of Oxford.

Most probably an early importation from one or other of the places named Stanley in England. Alexander Stanlie appears as dean of guild of Edinburgh in 1455 (Cambus., 96), and Mathew Stanley, burgess of Edinburgh, had license in 1495 to import Scottish goods into England (Bain, IV, 1619). John Stanelie was burgess of Rutherglen in 1647 (Inquis., 3334). Stainley 1671, Stainlie 1608.

(English) belonging to Stanley; or Dweller at the Stony or Rocky Lea [Old English stán, a stone, rock + leáh (Middle English ley), a lea] The M.S.E. forms of this common place-name were Stanleg(h, Stanley(e; the Middle Northern English forms Stanelegh, Stanelay, Staynley, etc.

Stanelia Monaster ……Stanleya…..pro…..Stanley.—Rot. Chart., A.D. 1203-4.

Stanleg Abbatia Ciscestr’ ordinis.—Rot. Chart., A.D. 1226-7.

The two foregoing entries relate to the old Cistercian priory at Stanley or Stanleigh, Wilts.

The Liverpool suburb Stanley owes its name indirectly to the Staffordshire Stanley through the great Stanley family.

This name was usually Latinized de Pascuo Lapidoso.

(English) One who came from Stanley (stony meadow), the name of several places in England; dweller at a rocky meadow.

Adam de Aldithley or Audeley, lord of Stanley, co. Chester, had two sons; 1. Liulph, ancestor of the great house of Audeley; and 2. Adam, whose son William obtained the lands of Stanlegh from his cousin Adam de Audeley, and thence assumed the surname, in the reign of King John. Mr. Shirley remarks of the Stanleys: "As few families have acted a more prominent part in history, so few can trace a more satisfactory pedigree." Noble and Gentle Men.

Local. A market—town in Gloucestershire, England. The place of a tin mine, stan, tin, Welsh, ystaen, and ley; or from the Saxon, stan, a stone, and ley—the stony place.

. A younger branch of the Derby family lived in the island for two or three generations.

Or De Valecherville, from V. in the Caux, named also Wallichville, Warlanville, probably from Valenger, a companion of Rollo. Fulco de V. was living 1063 (Ord. Vit. Ed. Forester, iii. 489). His son William de W. accompanied the Conqueror 1066, and had grants in Derby, but died before 1086, leaving: 1. Robert; 2. Ralph, to whom Henry I. granted lands in Notts., which were carried by his dau. and heir to Robert de Chauz; 3. Walter, mentioned in Normandy 1124 (Ord. Vitalis). Robert, the elder son, in 1086 held Stanley, Derby (Domesd.), and several lordships in Notts, in barony, and was, as ‘Robert de Stanley,’ Viscount of Stafford 1124-1129 (Rot. Pip. 31 Hen. I.). He appears to have obtained a grant of Aldithley, Balterley, and Talk in Stafford, on the death of Gamel, the former owner (mentioned in Domesday), and also part of the adjacent forest, which when cultivated bore his name, Stanley. He had issue-1. Ralph, father of William Fitz-Ralph, Seneschal of Normandy, who was of great eminence t. Henry II., and who before his death granted Stanley in Derby to found an abbey, afterwards styled Stanley or Dale. His dau. and heir m. William de Salicosa Mara (Mon. ii. 612); 2. Liulph, who had Aldithley during his father’s life, and Balterley and Stanley (Stafford) after his decease. In 1130 he as Liulph de Aldithley paid a fine in Stafford (Rot. Pip.), lie had issue—Adam, from whom descended the Lords Aldithley or Audley; 3. Adam, who obtained the Lordship of Talk, which his son William t. Henry II. exchanged with his cousin Adam de Aldithley for Stanley and part of Balterley (Dugd. Bar. ii. 247; Ormerod, Cheshire). From him descended the Baronets Stanley, the Earls of Derby, so famous in English history, the Lords Monteagle, and Stanley of Alderley.

A location name in Staffordshire The name of this manor was assumed by the Norman knight Valescherville. in the Domesday Book, de Valuille. Also a location name in Durham, Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire.