Oakley Purlieus
Early-attested site in the Parish of Oakley, Great and Little
Etymology
Oakley Purlieus [pəˑliz]. Cf. Odewod 1374For . purlieu is found fairly often in forest-names, and denotes a tract on the border of forest-land (NED s. v .). The local pronunciation is illustrated in Morton's phrase (443) “the Earl of Exeter's Purlees.” In modern field-names it takes the form Purley and even Purleigh .