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.

Methley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Offcote and Underwood

Historical Forms

  • le Meteles 1289 Kniveton
  • Metheleyges 1290 CartDec
  • Metheley(e) 1296,1304 RadCh e.16th Woll
  • Meyele Ed1 DbCh

Etymology

Methley (lost), le Meteles 1289Kniveton , Metheleyges 1290CartDec , Metheley (e )1296, 1304 RadCh, e. 16thWoll , Meyele Ed 1 DbCh.Perhaps 'middle pasture' with a first element ON  meðal and variation in the second between lǣs and lēah . From the various references it appears to have been mid-way between Ashbourne and Hanging Bridge. Cf. Methley WRY.