A French, English and Scottish surname, Bailey is in reference to a crown official or officer of the king in the county or a town. It means the keeper of a royal building or house. Generally, a person of high rank. In Old French the term was ‘bailiff’. The Scottish term was ‘bailie‘.

Other spellings for Bailey include Bailly, Baillie and Bailie.

In England the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire have the most with the Bailey surname. The name is common in Australia and Canada due to its earlier British influence as colonies.

Within the United States the surname Bailey is found in Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.

Famous: Aaron Bailey (professional football player), Ewan Bailey (English actor), Frederick Bailey (real name of Frederick Douglas - abolitionist), Hachalish Bailey (19th century developed Bailey’s Crossroads - owner of a circus), Joseph Bailey (Civil War Union general), Ryan Bailey (South African cricketer) and Philip James Bailey (19th century English poet).