Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wiuelesde 1086 DB 12–13 Dugdv326

• Wivelescle 1230,1282(1331) Chiv204,205

• Wyvelescle 1253 Ch

• Wivelesce 1266 1331 ib

• Winclestle c.1130 Cott.Faust.Bviii 1479

• Winelesthe c.1130 Sheaf328 18

• Winelesde, Winelestele 1230 Dugdv325 1331

• Wynelescle 1253 Ch

• Winelesele 1266 Dugd

• Wynelestr' 1291 Tax

• Willescle 12 Harl. 14

• Willesley 1437 Sheaf 1547 MinAcct

• Wilslea, Wilsley 1692,1695 Chol

• Wiveslee 1245 Sheaf

• Wyvescle 1253 Ch

• Wilskelegh 1404 ChRR

• Wilskley 1724 NotCestr

• Wylseley 1408 Plea 1422

• Wencsley 1499 Sheaf

• Wylkeley 1534 Dugd

• Wilkesley, Wylkesley 1535 VE

• (New) Wilkesley 1831 Bry

• Wilksley 1621 Orm2 1656 OS 1842

• Wylkesbye 1547 MinAcct

Etymology

'Wīfel's claw' from an OE  pers.n. Wifel (cf. ON Vífill , and Wilcote O 274, Wilsford W 326) and clēa 'a claw', alluding to the tongue of land between R. Duckow and the stream forming the county boundary near Shavington Sa, at 110–6439, cf. Spritlewithrintle infra . The forms are confusing and confused. Wiuel - is often miscopied as Winel -, Wincl - and -cle as -de , -tle , -the . The final el. has been replaced by lēah .