Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• La Wilæ 1186 P

• Wila 1204 Ch 1313

• la Wila 13 Forde 15

• la Wile 1244 Ass

• ten' in la Wile, terr' de la Wile 13 Forde 15 Weld2 14

• la Wyle 1268 Ass 1285 FA

• la Wyle juxta Chidiok 1292 Drew 1301 Pole 1307 Drew

• la Wyle juxta Lym 1323 FF

• att(e) Wyle 1315 Drew 1513 Dun

• Wyle 1316 FA 1408 Cl

• Wyle iuxta Wotton Fitzpayne 1552 Petre 1577 Dun

• La Vile 1307 Drew

• While 1399 Cl

• La Uilla 1189 CartAnt

• la Wylle 1244 Ass

• Monkynwyll 1535 VE

• Monkton Wild 1863 Hutch3

• Wyld 16 Petre

• the man(n)or of Wile alias Wild 1554 Hutch3

• the man(n)or of Wile alias Wylde 1621 BRW

• Wilde 1664 HTax

• Weald, Monktonweald 1811 OS

• Salis and Wilehille, Wylehille 1577 Dun

Etymology

From late OE  wīl 'a wile, a trick', probably used of a trap or snare for animals (which would be appropriate in this heavily wooded area) or of some other mechanical contrivance such as a windmill or a windlass for helping carts up hills, v. Ekwall Studies2 156–8 and DEPN 519. The same word occurs in two other major p.ns., Wyld Fm in Hampstead Norris Brk (Wille 1086, La Wile 1199, v. PN Brk 251) and Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury Sa (Wile 1177, v. PN Sa 418). Two other instances have been noted in minor names: the TA f.n. Wyld (Wyl 1323) in Wyke R. par. 1 271 and a lost f.n. le Wyle (c.1270) in Chinnor PN O 110.

It will be noted that the spelling with epenthetic -d is a late development, not evidenced before the 16th cent. The affix Monkyn - ('of the monks', from a ME  wk.pl. munkene , v. munuc ), later altered to Monkton, also appears late: it alludes to the possession of lands here by Forde Abbey at an early date (as in 1204 (1313) Ch, 13 (15) Forde , etc.).

The forms Willefort 12, Wilesfort ml2 Salis and Wilehille , Wylehille 1577Dun , 'ford and hill at Wile ', probably also belong here, v. ford , hyll . Cf. also Wild Stoke in Whitchurch C. par. and Wild Court in Hawkchurch par. both supra .