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.

Windley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Windley

Historical Forms

  • Winleg(a), Wynleg(a), Wynleia, Wynlegh, Wynlee, Wynley(e) 1138–48 Darley Hy2 BelCh 1251 Ch 1269 Ass 1281 RegAnt 1559 Lanc
  • Wynesleye 1269 FF
  • Wyneley(e), Wynelay 1327 Cl 1372 Gaunt 1431 WollCh
  • Wynd(e)ley(e) 1417 Fine 1430 DbCh 1482 MinAcct 1535 Val 1635 DuLaSC
  • Wind(e)ley 1607 Deed

Etymology

'Pasture clearing', v. winn 1 , lēah . The later forms and pronunciation of the name have been influenced by wind 'wind'.