Risley
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English
Alternative forms
- (surname): Wrisley
Etymology
From Old English hrīs (“twig, branch; brushwood”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”); equivalent to rice + -ley (“lea”). The circus term comes from the name of Richard Risley Carlisle (1814–1874), who developed this kind of act in the United States.
Proper noun
Risley (countable and uncountable, plural Risleys)
- (uncountable) A placename:
- A suburban area in Warrington borough, Cheshire, England (OS grid ref SJ6592).
- A village and civil parish (served by Risley with Hopwell Parish Council) in Erewash borough, Derbyshire, England (OS grid ref SK4635).
- (countable) A habitational surname from Old English.
Statistics
- According to the 2010 United States Census, Risley is the 8213rd most common surname in the United States, belonging to 4040 individuals. Risley is most common among White (93.42%) individuals.
Noun
Risley (plural Risleys)
- (sometimes attributive) A circus performer who performs antipodism, lying on the back while carrying burdens on the feet.
Further reading
- Hanks, Patrick, editor (2003), “Risley”, in Dictionary of American Family Names, volume 3, New York: Oxford University Press, →ISBN.