← All names

Auley

Boy name · 9 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Auley: 9 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2016.

Of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, Auley is a variant of Amhlaoibh, itself the Gaelic form of the Old Norse name Óláfr, meaning “ancestor’s descendant” or “heirloom.” The name travelled to Scotland via the Norse-Gaelic settlements in the Hebrides, where it became established as a distinct given name. Notable bearers include Auley, a 12th-century Bishop of the Isles, who played a key role in the medieval church in the Hebrides. The name is also an occasional surname, and its anglicised forms have varied widely, including MacAuley and MacAmhalghaidh. A fascinating lesser-known form is “Amhlaidh,” which appears in early Scottish records. Today, Auley remains a rare but steadfast choice, carrying echoes of Viking-era Scotland and the wild Atlantic coastline.