Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Aidele 1086 DB

• Eidale, Eydale 1275 Cl 1283 Pat 1285 For 1529 Bemrose

• Heydale 1251 DbAv

• Eydal 1285 For

• Eydall 1580 Lanc 1603,1616 Bemrose

• Edall 1550 Bemrose 1577 Saxton late18th

• Edale 1732 Bemrose

Etymology

The first element is clearly ēg 'island', used often in p.ns. of land between streams. Edale itself stands on Grinds Brook, several small streams entering the brook around the village, this probably suggesting the 'island' characteristic. Hence 'island valley' or the like, v. dæl 1 . It should be noted that the Vale of Edale today is the name of the valley of the Upper Noe, and Grinds Brook is one of the numerous tributaries it receives there.