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.

Chells and Chells Green

Early-attested site in the Parish of Stevenage

Historical Forms

  • Escelueia, Scelva, Scelve 1086 DB
  • Aisselve t.Hy2 Dugdii
  • Asselve 1200 Cur
  • Asselve, Aselvehulle, Asselvedene 13th Wymondley
  • Chelse 1298 Ct 1360 Ipm 1425 IpmR
  • Chelsys 1451 ib
  • Chelles 1562 FF

Etymology

The original name is probably a compound of æsc and scylf , i.e. 'ash-tree slope or terrace of land.' This was replaced later by a manorial name from the family of William de Chelsen (1294, 1307SR , 1302Ass ), which must have come from Chelsing in Bengeo infra 216.