Hayley Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of Little Gransden
Historical Forms
- Heile 1164 BM
- (boscus) Heyle 1251 ElyCouch 1316 BM
- Hayly Wood 1602 Colexlii
Etymology
Hayley Wood is Heile 1164 BM, (boscus ) Heyle 1251ElyCouch et freq to 1316 BM, Hayly Wood 1602Cole xlii. Probably 'hay-clearing' as in Green Hailey (PN Bk 171), earlier hegleage (BCS 603) and Hailey (PN Herts 212), v. hēglēah . A compound of (ge)hæg is also possible, denoting 'a woodland enclosure.' See Hayley Green (PN Wo 295), Hailey (PN Sx 305).