English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Harleyford (Manor)

Early-attested site in the Parish of Ibstone

Historical Forms

  • Herleford 1269 FF 1464 Pat
  • Harleford 1479 IpmR

Etymology

The first element is probably the ancient pers. name Heorla , occurring in Harling (Nf, Sf), Harlton (C) and Harlington (Beds). The very unusual development of an , through e to 'ey ,' is probably due to the fact that Hurley (OE  hyrn leah ) Berks stands over against Harleyford on the south of the Thames.The influence of this name probably kept Herle trisyllabic.