Great Rowsley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Great Rowsley
Historical Forms
- Reuslege 1086 DB
- Rolvesle 1204 Cur
- Roulesl', Roulisl', Roulisley(e), Roulisleg', Roulisle(y)gh, Roulislie, Roulisly c.1200 RegAnt c.1240,1249 BelCh 1373 IpmR
- Rullesle 1205 Cur
- Rowelysleye 1269 Ass
- Rollesley(e) 1386 DbAxxiii 1394 WollCh 1578 Woll
- Rowsley 1550 DbAxvi
- Rowesley 1610 Speed
- Magna Roulesley 1370 FF
- Mechell Rollesley 1486 WollCh
Etymology
'Hrōðwulf's or Hrólfr's clearing', v. lēah . It is impossible to decide whether the first element is the OE or ON name. Cf. Little Rowsley supra 82.