Chicheley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Chichele
Historical Forms
- Cicelai 1086 DB
- Chichelei 1151–4 Fr
- Chichele 1197 Fines 1241,1262 Ass 1349,1458 Pat
- Chichesle 1227 Ass
- Checheleghe 1237 Fees 1288 Ipm
- Chikel 1241 Ass
- Chechel(e) 1242 Fees884 1262 Ass 13th ADi 1311 Ch 1327 Pat Eiii Bodl52
- Chicheleg 1247 Gross
- Checheleam Checheleie 1262 Ass
- Checchele(ye) 1273 Ipm 1331 Pat 1490 Ipm
- Chuchele 1284 FA
- Chechelegh al. Chucheleye 1288 Ipm
- Chichele 1318 Pat
- Chicheley al. Chegeley 1524 LP
- Chechylley 1526 LS
Etymology
The second element is leah. The first would seem to be a pers. name. It is probably the name (or one allied to it) which appears in Latinised form as Cichus in the signature to certain Kentish Charters, probably all by one man (v. Redin 28), though that may be the name with unpalatalised final consonant, as in the pers. name which seems to lie behind Chicksand (Beds).On the other hand we have this same name with palatalised vowel, as in Chicheley, in Chichacott (D), DB Chicecote . Hence 'Cicca's clearing.' The Chuch - forms are probably due to the influence of ch on the preceding i .