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.

North Lees

Early-attested site in the Parish of Outseats

Historical Forms

  • Northleies, Northley(e)s 1306 Ass 1328 SR 1330 Ass 1361 AddCh
  • Northleghes 1319 For 1361 AddCh
  • Northelees 1558–79 ChancP

Etymology

North Lees, Northleies , Northley (e )s 1306 Ass (p), 1328 SR (p), 1330Ass , 1361AddCh (p), Northleghes 1319For (p), 1361AddCh (p), Northelees 1558–79 ChancP, Norlees 1625Derby , 1637ShefJC . 'North clearings', v. norð , lēah (in pl.); it is north in relation to Hathersage.