Cantley — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #18,144 in the US 1,534 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#18,144
▼ Down 1172 since 2000
People in the US
1,534
0.52 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Cantley Surname

What does the last name Cantley mean?

The surname Cantley carries the meaning "From a meadow or clearing." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,534 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cantley ranks as the #18,144 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Cantley come from?

The Cantley surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Cantley name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Cantley trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Cantley
Meaning From a meadow or clearing
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #18,144
US Count (2010) 1,534
Per 100K People 0.52
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Cantley

According to the US Census, the Cantley surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,534 Americans with the Cantley last name.

White 86.77%
Black 9.45%
Hispanic 0.98%
Two+ Races 2.22%
Ethnic distribution of the Cantley surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White86.77%
Black9.45%
Hispanic0.98%
Two or More Races2.22%

Popularity of Cantley Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Cantley surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#16,972
1,545 people
Down 1172
Census 2010
#18,144
1,534 people

The number of Americans with the Cantley surname decreased by 11 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Cantley Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Cantley ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Cantley

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cantley.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Cantley.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cantley

The surname Cantley is of English origin. From a meadow or clearing
The surname Cantley is ranked #18,144 in the United States with approximately 1,534 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
From a meadow or clearing. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Cantley surname is distributed as: 86.8% White, 9.4% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Cantley ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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