This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from any of various places called Bagley or Baguley: for example Bagley in Berkshire, recorded as "Bacgan leah" in the 955 Saxon Chartulary; Bagley in Shropshire, recorded as "Bageleia" in the 1090 Antiquities of Shropshire; Bagley in Somerset, recorded as "Bagelie" in the Domesday Book of 1086; Bagley in the West Riding of Yorkshire, recorded as "Bagalaia" in the 1148 Yorkshire Charters; and Baguley in Cheshire, recorded as "Bagelei" in the Domesday Book. All placenames share the same meaning and derivation, which is from the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name "Bacga", or an Olde English word for a "bag-shaped" animal, with the Olde English "leah", wood or clearing; hence, "Bacga's wood" or "wood where bag-shaped animals frequented". Locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Thomas de Baggeleghe is noted in the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of Somerset, and John Baguley is listed in the Coroners Rolls of Nottinghamshire (1527). In the modern idiom the surname can be found as Bagley, Baguley, Baggallay, Baggelley, Baggally, Baggarley and Bagguley. On August 30th 1590, Raph and Joan Baguley were married at St. Andrew's, Enfield, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Peter de Baggeleg, which was dated 1260, witness in the "Assize Court Rolls of Cheshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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