Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Felye 1287 Ass

• Overefelye, atte Velye 1301 DA

• la Felye 1333 SR

• Velly 1566 DA

Etymology

This is a difficult name.An OE  fealge , 'fallow land,' as suggested by Blomé (30) can hardly explain the later forms with e . This name offers some of the same difficulties as Felpham (PN Sx 140). There Professor Ekwall suggested that we probably had to start from a form felg , with a different vowel-grade e , related to OHG  felga , 'a harrow.'The exact meaning of OE  felg is doubtful, but it might perhaps be used of 'fallow land,' cf. the similar relation of OE  fealga , 'harrow,' to ME  falwe , 'fallow land.' OE  felg is actually on record in the sense 'felloe, felly.' This may ultimately be the same word. Hence perhaps 'fallow land.'