AINSLEY

Ainsley: translation

Ainsley m, occasionally f

Scottish and English: transferred use of the surname, which is borne by a powerful and ancient family long established in the Scottish borders. It was probably originally a local name, taken north from either Annesley in Nottinghamshire or Ansley in Warwickshire. The former gets its name from the genitive case of the Old English name ān (a short form of any of various compounds containing as a first element ān one, only) + Old English lēah wood or clearing. The latter is from Old English ānsetl hermitage + lëah.

Variant: Ainslee.