Gailey
A surname that likely began as a place-name or, in some cases, as a spelling variant influenced by similar-sounding names.
The #8,873 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 83,671 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Gailey is a surname whose origin is not securely settled from the evidence at hand. It is often treated as a variant spelling of names built from a place-name or local feature, and in some cases may reflect influence from Gaelic or Irish forms. The spelling has likely shifted over time under the pressure of pronunciation and local record-keeping.
History
The available excerpt only mentions the surname in passing and does not give a direct etymology. In practice, Gailey is found in English-speaking countries and can be associated with families whose name spellings varied a great deal in older records. Because several similar-looking surnames exist, its history may differ by family line.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The spelling can easily be confused with the adjective 'gaily,' so older records may show surprising variants for the same family.
From the historical record
“the foreigner — " Hilda then learnt that Mrs. Gailey had married a French modeller named Canonges . . . and that in course of time the modeller had informally changed the name to Cannon, because no”
— The Romance of Names