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.

Willeywood Fm, Willey Spring, Willey Lane

Early-attested site in the Parish of Greasley

Historical Forms

  • Haia de Willeg' 1212 ClR 1232 DukRec 1237,1252 Cl
  • (boscus de) Willey(e) 1236 1550 Pat
  • haya de Wyllegh' 1238 Cl
  • Haia de…Willehag' 1222 ClR
  • Wilhaye t.Ed3 For
  • woods called Wylley 1550 Pat
  • Willow Wood c.1825 O.S.

Etymology

Willey Hay was one of the three 'hays' in the division of Sherwood Forest between Leen and Dover Beck. The original name seems to have been a compound of welig, wilig and leah , 'willow clearing.' For spring , v. infra 290.