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.

Woolleys

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hambleden

Historical Forms

  • Wolveleg' 1227 FF
  • Wuluelegh 1241 Ass

Etymology

OE  wulfa -lēah , 'wolves' clearing.' v. leah . The modern s is a corrupt form. Woolley in Chaddleworth and Woolley Green (Berks) have the same origin.