Radley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Radley
Historical Forms
- Radelege c.1180 Abingdon 13th
- Radeley 1242–3 Fees
- Radele 1316 FA 1353 Pat 1396–7 ObAcc
- Enneyelake 1252 InqMisc
- Enney e. 17th Bodl
- Inney 1843 Myres
Etymology
'Red wood or clearing', v. rēad , lēah . DEPN has a form from 1176 P, but this refers to Radley in Kintbury 316. The O.S. geological map shows Radley situated on valley gravel, with a narrow belt of Kimmeridge clay immediately to the W. Neither here, nor in Radley in Kintbury, does soil-colour seem likely to be the reason for the p.n. Eney (on 2½″ map, not on 6″ or 1″), 1849TA , Enneyelake 1252 InqMisc, Enney e. 17thBodl , Inney 1843Myres . The bounds of Bayworth (956 BCS 932, v. Pt 3) include descriptions of two pieces of meadow, obviously by the Thames. One of these is near Berry 454, the other is described as (þa gemæro ) þære mæde æt ennanbeorgum .It is reasonable to suggest that Eney and ennanbeorgum have the same first el., which is probably a pers.n. Enna , cf. Enstone O 347. The second el. of Eney is īeg , ēg 'island'; the form of 1252 has lacu 'stream' added. Eney and Levery (infra ) are between the Thames and a small stream. The second el. of ennanbeorgum is the dat.pl. of beorg 'hill, barrow', probably referring to tumuli such as the one which survives in Radley village. A document of t. ElizRentSur refers to meadow-land belonging to Sunningwell called Emborowe .This is probably a later form for ennanbeorgum .