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.

Ansley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Ansley

Historical Forms

  • Hanslei 1086 DB
  • Aneslea 1174,1175 P
  • Aneslega 1221 Ass 1241 FF
  • Onestleya 1232 Ass
  • Anesteleye 1235 Misc 1297,1299 Ass
  • Anestelay 1429 BM
  • Hanesteleye 1297 Ass
  • Anestlege 1247 ib
  • Anestlyghe 1262 1272 FF
  • Anestleye 1291 Tax 1297 Cl
  • Anestle 1311 FF
  • Onsteleye 1297 Ass 1378 FF
  • Anstley 1327 ADiii
  • Anstley et non Onstleye 1315 Ass
  • Ansteley(e) 1408 FF 1413 ADv 1416,1432 ADi
  • Anstlee 1332 SR
  • Ansley 1426 BM 1458 ADiv
  • Anseley 1434 BM 1535 VE
  • Anceley 1550,1605 FF
  • Anceley al Ansley 1618 ib
  • Annesley 1547 Dugdale

Etymology

This is a difficult name. Professor Ekwall suggests that it is a compound of OE  ānsetl , 'lonely dwelling, hermitage,' and leah, hence 'clearing marked by such a dwelling.' Cf. ansætleh in an early Yorkshire charter (BCS 1278).