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.

Nares Gladley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Heath and Reach

Historical Forms

  • Gledelai 1086 DB
  • Gledele(g) 1131–41 Dunst 13th Ass 1247 Dunst 1286 QW 1331 Ch 1332 Ipm 1347 Cl 1379
  • Gledeleia 1176 P
  • Gladelaia 1176 P
  • Gladelea 1177 P
  • Gledley or Gledeley 1499 Ipm

Etymology

There is no evidence in the charters for a topographical use of OE  glæd , 'bright,' apart from Glatton infra 187. It is more probable that the present name contains a pers. name Glǣda , from OE  glǣd , 'bright,' by the side of glæd , 'glad.' Cf. Ekwall in Angl. Beiblatt xxxiii, 67. Nares is presumably the name of some owner or tenant, but remains an unsolved mystery.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement

Early-attested site