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.

Willey

Early-attested site in the Parish of Chaldon

Historical Forms

  • Wille, Wyllee 1316 Ipm
  • Wyllee 1317 Cl
  • Wylle 1332 Ipm
  • Willeye 1368 Ch
  • Willy, Wyllydeane 1664 SR

Etymology

Willey (6″) is Wille , Wyllee 1316 Ipm, Wyllee 1317 Cl, Wylle 1332 Ipm, Willeye 1368 Ch, Willy , Wyllydeane 1664SR . This maybe 'Willa 's clearing' or 'willow clearing,'v. wilig , leah . The persistent spellings with ll are against our taking the name to be the same as Willey infra 175.