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.

Great Rowsley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Great Rowsley

Historical Forms

  • Reuslege 1086 DB
  • Rolvesle 1204 Cur
  • Roulesl', Roulisl', Roulisley(e), Roulisleg', Roulisle(y)gh, Roulislie, Roulisly c.1200 RegAnt c.1240,1249 BelCh 1373 IpmR
  • Rullesle 1205 Cur
  • Rowelysleye 1269 Ass
  • Rollesley(e) 1386 DbAxxiii 1394 WollCh 1578 Woll
  • Rowsley 1550 DbAxvi
  • Rowesley 1610 Speed
  • Magna Roulesley 1370 FF
  • Mechell Rollesley 1486 WollCh

Etymology

'Hrōðwulf's or Hrólfr's clearing', v. lēah . It is impossible to decide whether the first element is the OE or ON name. Cf. Little Rowsley supra 82.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site