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.

Clayhithe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Horningsea

Historical Forms

  • Cleie 975 LibEl 12th
  • Gleyham 1228 Pat
  • Clehe 1279 RH
  • Claye t.Eliz ChancP
  • Clayheth 1268 Ass
  • Claethe 1298 ib
  • Claihythe 1313 StJohn's
  • Clayhith(e) 1333 1607 Imb
  • Clayeth 1372 Horns
  • Claye Hyve 1580 Ely
  • Clay hive 1618 BedL
  • Cleyheth(e) 1279 RH 1284 FA 1363 1381 Ass
  • Cleyhothe 1279 RH
  • Cleythe 1302 StJohn's
  • Cleyhygh 1323 ib
  • Cleyhith(e), Cleyhyth(e) 1429,1450 FF 1502 Ipm
  • Cley Hyve 1581 Ely

Etymology

Originally simply 'clay,' later 'landing-place on the clay,' v. clǣg , hȳð . Gleyham is probably from a Latinisation to Cleiam , with AN g for c (cf. IPN 114). For loss of -th , cf. Odsey supra 62, and for hive , v. Introd. xxxvi.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement