Hartley is an English surname that has been adapted for use as a given name, particularly for boys. It originated from the Old English word 'heretel', which referred to a harte, or stag. The name Hartley is often associated with the prominent British family of that name, who were notable in politics and literature during the 18th century. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a given name in English-speaking countries.
The name Hartley experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a peak of 36 births in 1918 and a notable dip to as low as 5 births in certain years like 1892, 1952, and 2005. The total number of births recorded for the name Hartley between 1892 and 2023 is 1554.