English place name from Old English meaning 'nut clearing' or 'nut wood.'
Notley is an English place name from Old English, usually meaning nut clearing or nut wood. That gives it a pastoral and landscape-based feel, the kind that often comes from old settlements and surname histories.
It sounds grounded and quietly regional, with a sense of land and continuity behind it. As a given name, Notley has a surname-like solidity that makes it feel sturdy and a little refined. It is uncommon enough to stand out, but its plain English roots keep it from seeming mannered.
The nut-tree association adds a natural softness to the name, even as the overall shape feels practical. Notley is the sort of rare name that suggests heritage without needing embellishment.