Lumley

Lumley is a toponym and surname used in the United Kingdom and beyond. In England, it primarily refers to a village in County Durham, near Chester-le-Street, and to Lumley Castle, a medieval fortress located in the same area. The castle is a prominent historic site and has operated as a hotel and restaurant in recent decades.

As a surname, Lumley is of English origin and has been borne by several notable people. Joanna Lumley, born in 1946, is a British actress and campaigner best known for her work in television comedies such as Absolutely Fabulous. In historical records, John Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley, was a 16th-century English nobleman and court figure associated with the Lumley family line.

The name Lumley thus has both geographic and familial significance, tied to specific locations in Durham and to individuals who have carried the surname across various centuries.