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.

The Leys

Early-attested site in the Parish of Burwell

Historical Forms

  • le Layes 1439 Ct
  • le leese feld 1473 ib
  • la lee 1388 FF

Etymology

The Leys (6″) is le Layes 1439Ct , le leese feld 1473 ib. and may have been the home of William de la lee in 1388 (FF). If so, there has been confusion between lēah 'clearing' and lǣs 'pasture.'