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.

Shirley and Shirley Street

Early-attested site in the Parish of Solihull

Historical Forms

  • Syrley c.1240 ADvi
  • Schirleye t.Ed2 ADiv
  • Sherle(ye) 1306 Ass 1367 ADii
  • Shirley 1403 ADv
  • S(c)hirleystret 1322 ADiii
  • Shereleystrete 1480 BirmDeed
  • Sherleystreete 1663 FF

Etymology

Shirley and Shirley Street are Syrley c. 1240 AD vi, Schirleye t. Ed 2 AD ivet freq , Sherle (ye )1306Ass , 1367 AD ii, Shirley 1403 AD v, S (c )hirleystret 1322 AD iii, Shereleystrete 1480BirmDeed , Sherleystreete 1663FF . 'Bright clearing' (v. scir , leah ) or possibly 'boundary (shire) clearing,' since the place lies on the Warwickshire-Worcestershire border.