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.

Farley (Fm and Hill)

Early-attested site in the Parish of Luton

Historical Forms

  • Ferleya juxta Lectonam Hy2 Ch 1285
  • Farlege 1201 FF 1297 SR
  • Fareleye 1276 RH 1526 LS 1590 NQiii
  • Farle 1291 Tax
  • Fayreley Eliz ChancP
  • Farl(e)y Eliz ChancP

Etymology

Though no n is found in the early forms this is clearly for OE  fearnleah, 'fern or bracken-covered clearing.' Farley (Db, Sf, Sr, W, Wo) and Farlow (Sa) all have fearn as their first element, and in all alike forms without an n are found from early times.