Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ceolhal 1086 DB

• Chelhala, Chelhale 1185,1186 P Hy3 For

• Cholhal Hy3 ib

• Cholale 1309 Orig

• Chunall 1767 Burdett

Etymology

Chunal, Ceolhal 1086 DB, Chelhala , Chelhale 1185, 1186 P, Hy 3For (p), Cholhal Hy 3 ib (p), Cholale 1309 Orig et passim , Chunall 1767 Burdett. Perhaps 'Ceola's nook of land', v. halh . It is however almost impossible to separate this OE pers.n. from the significant word ceole 'throat' used in the sense 'channel, gorge, ravine'. If this word is the first element here it would no doubt refer to Long Clough below Chunal and the name would then mean 'nook of land near the ravine'; cf. Charlesworth supra for a similar type of name.