Rayleigh
Major Settlement in the Parish of Rayleigh
Historical Forms
- Rageneiā, Ragheleiam 1086 DB
- Raelega 1173,1184 P
- Raelegh 1236 Cl
- Raleg(he) 1241 For 1292 FF 1337 Cl
- Raley 1768 M
- Rielie 1181 P
- Ry(e)ley(e) 1267 Ch t.Hy3 Ipm
- Ryghle 1330 Ipm
- Reilee 1181 P 1274 RH
- Reiele 1181 P
- Reyleg(h) 1217 Pat 1238 SR 1306,1330 Londin 1428 FA
- Reylee 1228 Ch
- Reyley(e) 1252–4 FF 1303 FA
- Reyligh 1285 FF
- Reylye 1303 FA
- Reylie 1373 FF
- Reil(l)eg(h) 1222 Pat 1236 FF
- Reghleye 1348 Ipm
- Releg(a) 1192 P 1254 Ass 1266 Pat
- Relegh 1237 Lib 1239 FF 1263 Pat
- Releye, Relaye 1271 ib
- Roleg' 1235 Cl 1251 FF
- Rayley t.Hy3 Ipm
- Rayle(i)gh 1337 Cl 1413 Pap
- Rayle(y)ght 1536 FF
- Rayleyht 1550 Pat
- Railey 1500 Ipm
- Redl(egh) 1237,1247,1248 Cl 1254,1256 Pat 1254 Ass
- Redleye 1266,1268 Pat
- Red(de)le 1257,1264 Pat
- Radl(eh') 1246 Ipm 1264 Pat
- Roylegh 1284 FF
- Ruylegh 1380 FF
- Rawley 1519 ib
Etymology
'Wild she-goat clearing,' v. ræge , leah . ræge was also used of the female of the roe-deer, and certain of the above forms have been influenced by OE ra, 'roe-deer.' Cf. Rauleghe (in Little Dunmow) 1325Ct . Identical with Raleigh (PN D 55). The forms in Red -, Rad - are due to a substitution of d for ʒ . Cf. s. n. Raleigh (u. s .) DB Radeleia , Leicester (Lei), DBLedecestre , OE Legraceaster .