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.

Raven Slack

Early-attested site in the Parish of New Mills

Historical Forms

  • Raveneslak 1285 For
  • Rowenslack Eliz DuLa
  • Ravenslack 1625 Rental
  • Raveneslach 1285 For

Etymology

Raven Slack (6″), Raveneslak 1285For , Rowenslack ElizDuLa , Ravenslack 1625Rental , 'shallow valley frequented by raven', v. hræfn , hrafn , slakki ; the first element might alternatively be a pers.n. formed from the common noun. With this must be taken the adjacent Ravens Leach (6″), Raveneslach 1285For , with an identical first element and the second element læc(c) 'slow sluggish stream'.