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.

High and Low Coledale

Early-attested site in the Parish of Above Derwent

Historical Forms

  • Coldale 1260 Rental 1578 Cocker
  • Colledale 1339 GDR
  • Cowdall 1569,1670 PR
  • Cowdale 1689 DKRxii

Etymology

The form from 1339 suggests that in spite of earlier forms without a medial vowel, this may contain a personal name. If so, the early and very common ON  Kolli seems the most probable. The second element is dalr.