Staley is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'stael', which means 'steely'. It is believed to have been an occupational name for a metalworker or blacksmith. The name first appeared in records during the 14th century and was brought to America by early settlers. Today, Staley remains a relatively uncommon surname, adding a unique touch to those who bear it.
The name Staley has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over the past century, with periods of higher and lower birth rates. The most popular years for the name were in the late 1940s to early 1950s, with peaks of 10 births in 1942 and 9 births in 1945. However, since the late 1960s, the number of annual births has consistently remained at or below 8, with a significant drop occurring after 1978 until 2003. Despite this decline, there have been occasional spikes in popularity, such as the recent peak of 8 births in 2006 and 2022. Overall, the total number of births with the name Staley over this period is 256.