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.

Monsal Dale

Early-attested site in the Parish of Little Longstone

Historical Forms

  • Morneshale, Mornishale, Morneshale late12th WollCh c.1200 BelCh 1348 DbAxxxvi
  • Morleshal' 1200 P
  • Mornissale c.1230 ShefMD
  • Morn(e)sale e.13th DbCh 14th Pat 1328 Ass 1330 DbCh 1493
  • Marnsale c.1460 WWorc
  • Mornsall(e) Ed4 DuLa 1522 DbCh 17th
  • Mornesaledale Eliz ChancP
  • Mournesalle Dale alias Mourneshall Dale 1596 Portland
  • Mornsale Dale 1597 Lanc
  • Mornsall dale 1625 Rental
  • Mornisdale 1669 Halliii

Etymology

Probably 'Mōrwine's nook of land', v. halh (dat.sg. hale ), with reduction of the medial syllable. The name was later extended to cover the whole valley, v. dæl 1 . The form Morle - shows the common AN  sound-substitution of -l - for -n -.