Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• terra…de Hwatelegh', Watelegh' (p) 13 Forde 15

• Wattelega 1241 15 ib

• Wattele 1280 Ass

• Watelegh' 1271 Forde 15

• Whatley 1811 OS

Etymology

Whetley Cross & Whetley Fm (ST 454043), terra …de Hwatelegh ', Watelegh ' (p)13 (15) Forde , Wattelega 1241 (15) ib (p), Wattele 1280Ass (p), Watelegh '1271 (15) Forde (p), Whatley 1811 OS, cf. Whetley Coppice 1839TA , 'clearing where wheat is grown', v. hwǣte , lēah , cf. Whatley Fm in Beaminster par. supra which is probably identical in origin.Nearby, in Littlewindsor supra , was Whethill 1209 FF, hwethell '1329 (15) Forde , 'hill where wheat is grown', v. hyll : this is most probably a separate name and not, as thought possible by Fägersten 269, an alternative or earlier form of this name. Whetley Cross is at a crossroads, v. cross .