Early Family History
Early Name Meaning
Irish: in Ireland this is generally the English name in 2 below but it was also adopted for any of several Irish surnames that contain or appear to contain moch which means ‘early’ or ‘timely’ including Ó Mocháin (see Mohan ) Ó Mochóir Ó Mochéirghe and Ó Maoil-Mhochéirghe (from a personal name meaning ‘early rising’). The name appears in Scotland by the end of the 18th century possibly sometimes from England but mostly no doubt from Ireland. English: habitational name chiefly from Earley (Berkshire) but Earnley (Sussex) Arley (Warwickshire) Areley Kings (Worcestershire) and Upper Arley (Worcestershire) may also have contributed to the surname. All five placenames are derived from Old English earn ‘eagle’ + lēah ‘woodland clearing’. Americanized form of German Ehrle .
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022