From a surname which was from a place name: either Annesley in Nottinghamshire or Ansley in Warwickshire. The place names themselves mean either "Anne's field" or "hermitage field" from Old English ansetl "hermitage" and leah "field". Ainsley originates in Old English language and means "from the field of hermits". It was derived from the name of a place in England. It can be used as both masculine and feminine names. As a masculine name it was popularized by Ainsley Harriott, a British celebrity chef.
