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Re: Meaning/origin or OWSLEY
in reply to a message by Jake
Sorry, but if it's an English surname it's almost certainly a place name. I'm not sure about the 'Ows' part, but 'ley' is from the Old English legh, meaning "meadow" (c/f Ashley, Bradley, Morley, et cetera).

ChrisellAll we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.

This message was edited 6/10/2005, 8:22 AM

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More . . .According to the website below, Owsley was originally recorded as Ouseley, so your original surmise of "meadow near the river Ouse" may well be correct.
http://www.owsleyfamily.com/I can't independently verify it, but this site seems to have a reasonable explanation of the origin of the river Ouse's name:
http://www.last-names.net/surname.asp?surname=OuseleyHope that helps :-)
ChrisellAll we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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