Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Harley” come from?

Harley is derived from Old English hara, from Proto-Germanic hērą, from Proto-Indo-European keres-, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱas(w)-.

Harley (English): A Harley-Davidson motorcycle

Definitions

  1. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle

Ancestry of “Harley”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishlēahmeadow; clearing with a pigsty; woodland,...
2Proto-West Germaniclauhclearing; meadow
3Proto-Germaniclauhazclearing; meadow
4Proto-Indo-Europeanlówkosclearing; open space, clearing; field, meadow
5Proto-Indo-Europeanlewḱ-lynx
6Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see

Words derived from “Harley”

  • Harlee
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewk- →