The spelling of the word "Horsely" can be confusing due to its unusual pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /ˈhɔːrzli/. The "Hors" part is pronounced like "horse" with a silent "e" at the end, and the "ly" at the end is pronounced as "lee". This can be contrasted with the similar-looking word "Horsley," which is pronounced with a short "o" sound and a strong "s" sound, as /ˈhɔːrsli/. When practicing proper spelling and pronunciation, it is important to pay attention to small details like these.
The surname "Horsley" derives from the Old English word "hors" meaning "horse" and the Old English word "leah" meaning "wood" or "clearing". Therefore, the etymology of "Horsley" suggests that it originally referred to a person who lived near a wood or clearing where horses were kept or grazed.