Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wallie, Walley(e), Walleg' 1231 Cl 1240 StLK 1255 Ipm 1271 Derbyshire 1306 Ass 17th

• Whal(e)y 1540 Ct

• Whalley 1546 MinAcct

Etymology

Whaley, Wallie , Walley (e ), Walleg '1231 Cl, 1240 StLK, 1255 Ipm, 1271Derbyshire (p), 1306 Ass et freq to 17th, Whal (e )y 1540Ct , Whalley 1546MinAcct . The first element is doubtful and might be wall 'wall', wala (gen.pl. of walh ) 'of the Welsh' or wælla 'spring, stream'. There is no evidence of any wall in the neighbourhood but a stream flows through the hamlet. The second element is lēah 'clearing, wood'. Ekwall's suggestion (DEPN) that it is 'clearing on or near a rounded hill', from hwæl and lēah is not supported by the forms. No Wh - spellings appear before the mid 16th and that quoted by him does not belong here.