Summary

Surname Cooley originated from Ireland and has a rich history dating back to ancient times. It is believed to derive from the Gaelic name Ó Cuileannáin, meaning 'descendant of Cuileannán,' which refers to a person of holly tree or warrior-like qualities. The Cooley surname is associated with traits like bravery, resilience, and determination.
There are
33231
Cooleys in the USA
Cooley is the
1054th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Cooley

CharlesHorton

Charles Horton Cooley was an American sociologist who is known for his concept of the looking glass self, which suggests that a person's self-concept is formed based on their perception of how others see them.

DentonTrue

Denton True 'Cy' Young was an American professional baseball player who is considered one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history. He played for several teams during his career and still holds numerous records, including the most career wins with 511.

ArthurHolly

Arthur Holly Compton was an American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the Compton effect, which demonstrates the particle-like properties of electromagnetic radiation, providing support for the wave-particle duality theory.

TyrusRaymond

Tyrus Raymond 'Ty' Cobb was an American professional baseball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport. He played for the Detroit Tigers for the majority of his career and set numerous records, including the highest career batting average.

BobbieCooley

Bobbie Cooley is an American professional wrestler known for her time in various wrestling promotions, including Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She is recognized for her high-flying and aggressive in-ring style.

Roscoe'Fatty'

Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle was an American silent film actor, comedian, and director. He was one of the most popular stars of the silent era and appeared in over 150 films. However, his career was overshadowed by a highly publicized scandal in the 1920s.

HowardCooley

Howard Cooley was a pioneering African American sculptor and educator. He created numerous works of art that explore African American identity and cultural heritage, and his sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums.

GordonWillis

Gordon Willis was an American cinematographer known for his collaborations with director Francis Ford Coppola and his work on films such as 'The Godfather' trilogy and 'Annie Hall.' He was recognized for his innovative use of lighting and shadow to create visual atmospheres.

JamesE.

James E. 'Jim' Cooley was an American football player and coach. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers and later became a successful coach at the collegiate level, leading the University of Missouri Tigers to multiple conference championships.

ElizabethJane

Elizabeth Jane 'Betty' Cooley was an American educator and civil rights activist. She played a significant role in the implementation of school desegregation policies in the United States and worked to improve educational opportunities for African American students.

Cooley Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Cooley' is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ó Cochláin,' which means 'descendant of Cochlán.' The name Cochlán is derived from the Irish word 'cochall,' which means 'reed.'
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Cooley' is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states with a significant Irish-American population, such as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. It is also found in smaller numbers in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Cooley' include 'Coley,' 'Couley,' 'Culey,' 'Coolie,' 'Colley,' 'Cully,' 'Cooey,' 'Cooely,' and 'Cowley.' These variations may reflect different regional pronunciations or anglicized spellings of the original Gaelic name.
Migration and ImmigrationLike many Irish surnames, the name 'Cooley' likely originated in Ireland and was brought to other countries, including the United States and Canada, through migration and immigration. Irish immigrants fled economic hardship and political unrest in Ireland, seeking better opportunities in the New World.