Cookesley

Cookesley is a surname of British origin. It is generally considered a locational surname, derived from a place name that no longer exists or is now obscured. The "esley" element likely derives from Old English lēah, meaning a woodland clearing or glade. The "Cookes" element is more uncertain, possibly referring to a person named "Cook" (a common occupational surname), or a topographical feature or settlement associated with cooking or food preparation.

Due to the obscurity of the original place name, the precise meaning and location are difficult to ascertain definitively. Surname dictionaries generally list Cookesley as originating in the West Midlands or surrounding regions of England.

Individuals with the surname Cookesley are now found in various parts of the world, particularly in countries with significant British diaspora populations. The surname is not particularly common.