Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Solihull 12th RBE

• Solyhull(e) 1295 Ipm 1313 BM

• Sulihull, Sulyhull 1242 1440 ADii

• Soullyhull 1538 LP

• Sulehill 1247 Ass

• Sulhull 1309 ib

• Sulhill t.Hy8 Rental

• Solehul 1310 ADii

• Sullihull 1330 Ass 1514 LP

• Sullyhull 1530 Recov

• Sollyhull al. Sullyhull 1693 ib

• Sylhyl 1340 BM

• Silhull t.Hy8 Rental

• Solhull al. Silhill 1618 FF

• Sylill 1650 ParlSurv

• Solyhull al. Silhill 1708 Recov

• Sollihulle, Sollyhull 1361,1375 BM

• Sylyoll, Sylyold 1520 Wollaton

• Sowlyold 1522 ib

• Solihull al. Sulhill 1599 Recov

• Solhull al. Silhill 1618 FF

• Sulhill al. Sollihill 1623 Recov

• Solihull al. Sulhill al. Sillill 1633 FF

• Solihull al. Sulhill vulgo Sillill 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

This is a difficult name but the probabilities are that the first element is a lost OE  adjective sylig , formed from sylu , 'miry place.' Hence 'muddy hill.' The approach to the church from the south was up a muddy hill, the roadway being cut deep into stiff red clay. The numerous soli -forms, as distinct from the normal suli -forms, are difficult, but may be accounted for by the influence of the alternative OE  sol used in the same sense as sylu . The later sil –forms are probably to be explained as due to unrounding and fronting. We should perhaps compare Solydene in Birmingham (1553AOMB 167). Cf. PN Wo xxviii and PN D Part i, p. xxxiv. Professor Ekwall suggests that the first element may be the OE  sulig found in suligcumb (BCS 1282), suliggraf (ib. 1108), both in Worcestershire charters. He would associate this with the rare OHG  sulag , said to mean 'pig-sty.'No certainty is possible.