Origins of 'EATLY'

English surnames are generally regarded as falling into seven categories.

• Names deriving from occupations, e.g. Smith, Baker, Squire.
  
  
• Names deriving from personal names, e.g. Davidson, Johnson, Williams.
  
  
• Names deriving from nicknames, e.g. Long, Short, White.
  
  
• Names deriving from topographical features, e.g. Hill, Field, Bywater.
  
  
• Names deriving from place names, e.g. London, Norton, Murray.
  
  
• Names deriving from relations, e.g. Brothers, Cousins.
  
  
• Names whose origins are unknown.

The name EATLY does not appear in any of the published dictionaries of surnames.

I suggest it may be a Geographical name derived from a proper name such as EATE and LEA (LEA meaning a wood, a clearing in a wood or a meadow, depending on the stage deforestation had reached when the name was adopted).

Like most amateur philology this is probably complete twaddle.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

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