Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hanley 1269 Adl 1328 ChRR

• Hanleye, Hanlee 1285 Court

• Hanlegh 1286 Eyre 1358 MinAcct

• Hannelegh 1337 Eyre 1348 MinAcct

• Haunley c.1515 Orm2

• Handley 1542 ChRR

• Handley barn 1848 TA

• Nether Hanley 1466 Earw

• Handley Fold 1842 OS 1848 TA

Etymology

'At the high clearing', from hēah (hēan wk.dat.) and lēah , with bere-ærn 'a barn', and clōh 'a dell'. Handley Foot, so named 1831 Bry, 1848TA , was Nether Hanley 1466 Earw, Handley Fold 1842 OS, 1848TA (v. neoðera 'lower', fōt 'foot, bottom of', fald 'a fold, a farmstead'). Higher Cliff Fm & Lower Cliff Fm infra were Over Hanley 1466 Earw, Handley Head , Top of Handley 1831 Bry, 1848TA (v. uferra 'higher', hēafod 'head, top end of', topp 'top'.)