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.

Thorny Lee

Early-attested site in the Parish of Chapel en le Frith

Historical Forms

  • Thorneley(e), Thornelege 1251 DbAv Hy3 For
  • Thornelee Ed4 DuLa
  • Thorneleigh 1714 ib
  • Thornileye, Thornyleye 1285 For 1332 ShefBC
  • Tornnelegh 1381 SR

Etymology

Thorny Lee, Thorneley (e ), Thornelege 1251 DbA v, Hy 3For (p)et passim , Thornelee Ed 4DuLa , Thorneleigh 1714 ib, Thornileye , Thornyleye 1285For (p), 1332ShefBC , Tornnelegh 1381SR (p). 'Thorn or thorny clearing', v. þorn(ig), lēah .