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The surname Hartley or O'Hartley has its origins in England and Ireland. In the case of Hartley, this name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English words 'heorot,' meaning 'hart' or 'stag', and 'leah,' meaning 'wood' or 'clearing'. In the context of England, it typically referred to someone who lived by a stag forest or in one of the various locations named Hartley in England.

Conversely, O'Hartley is the anglicized form of the Old Gaelic name "O'hArtghaile," with "O" indicating a male descendant, "hart" likely denoting a physical characteristic such as 'stout' or 'strong', and "ghaile" meaning 'valor' or 'heroism'. This would suggest the name originally signified the descendant of a strong and valorous individual.

In Irish genealogy, the O'Hartleys were largely associated with the province of Ulster, particularly in counties Donegal and Derry. Over time, many Irish families anglicized their names, often dropping the 'O' prefix and simplifying the spelling. Thus, O'Hartley became Hartley. The turbulent history of Ireland, including emigration due to famine, persecution, and economic opportunities, led to the global dispersal of the name. Today, people bearing the surname Hartley, with or without the 'O', can be found in various parts of the world, all stemming from these English and Irish roots.

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