Hartley sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Harvey, Harley, and Huxley are the closest matches by sound. Most share Hartley's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"stag's clearing"
"supplanter, heel-follower (Jacob/James origin)"
"my God is Yahweh"
"strict, disciplined"
"pillar, support"
"bold journey, brave traveler"
"gift of God (by association with Zay names)"
"pledge, hostage"
"absence of conflict, wholeness"
"top of the steep place"
"victorious"
"asked of God, prayed for"
"ash tree clearing"
"leader, head, principal one"
"father of peace"
"battle, fighter, combatant"
"friend, companion"
"flourishing, like a flower"
"spear ruler"
"associated with Al-Khidr, the immortal guide"
"wayfarer, wanderer"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Hartley — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Old English origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Hartley.
Rhythm: Hartley is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.