The first known recorded spelling of the Gourley family name is believed to be that of Ingelramus (also known as Ingelram) de Gourlay. dated 1174, who held land in Clydesdale and Lothian, Scotland, and during the reign of King William of Scotland, known as 'The Lion', 1165 - 1214.

Cyril Edward Gourley VC MM, On 30 November 1917 at Little Priel Farm, east of Epehy, France, during the Battle of Cambrai, Sergeant Gourley was in command of a section of howitzers. During an enemy advance, when their forces were within a few hundred yards of him, both to the front and on one flank, and though plagued by snipers, Sergeant Gourley managed to keep one gun firing. At one point he pulled the gun out of the pit and engaged a machine-gun at 500 yards, knocking it out with a direct hit. All day he held the Germans in check, firing over open sights on enemy parties, thereby saving his guns, which were withdrawn at nightfall. He had been previously awarded the Military Medal in September 1917 for conspicuous gallantry in putting out a fire near an ammunition dump.

Ronald William Gourley 1896 - 1957, pianist-entertainer and siffleur (whistler), born in Stoke-on-Trent in June 1896. His mother first taught him to play the piano, studied in a Dominican convent at Stoke and afterwards at the Royal College normal and Worcester Colleges. His first broadcast was from the Witton Experimental Station in 1922; since then broadcast from every studio of the BBC in the United Kingdom, on one occasion, three times in two days. His great radio successes are singing and improvising humorous interludes at the piano. Described as the best broadcaster in his own line. His most famous and well know song was The Dicky Bird Hop available on 78.