The name Burley is of English origin, derived from an Old English word 'burh', meaning 'fort' or 'stronghold'. It was originally a topographical surname given to someone who lived near a fortified town or manor house. Over time, the name has evolved and is now primarily used as a given name in some parts of England and other English-speaking countries. In its earliest usage as a given name, Burley is believed to have been introduced by families who wished to use names with historical significance and strong meanings.
The name Burley experienced a significant drop in popularity over the course of these statistics, with a high of 58 births in 1921 and a low of 5 births in multiple years (1991, 1998-2000). The total number of births registered is 2310.