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.

Bolney

Major Settlement in the Parish of Bolney

Historical Forms

  • Bolneye 1263,1280 FF
  • Boleney, Bolenye, Bolene 1271 Ass 1292 FF 1296,1332 SR
  • Bollenheye, Bolleneye, Bulneye 1279 Ass
  • Bollene 1295 Ass
  • Bolne(e) 1284 FA 1305 FF 1327 SR 1377 Pat 1403 IpmR 1439 Cicestr
  • Bolneye al. Bulneye 1325 Ipm
  • Bulneye 1326 Cl
  • Bounye 1603 ParReg
  • Boney 1621 Recov

Etymology

Bolney lies comparatively low, in well-watered land, so the second element is clearly eg. The first is the pers. name Bol (l )a .Cf. PN BedsHu 13s. n. Bolnhurst and bollanea in BCS 144, a Sussex charter.