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.

Lelley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Preston

Historical Forms

  • Lelle 1246 Ass 1260 1284 Pat 1297 LS 1435 ADii
  • Lelley, Lellay 1275 Rental 1377 FF
  • Lilley 1260 Rental
  • Letlle (sic) 1331 YD

Etymology

Lelley is probably a compound of OE  lǣla 'twig, switch, brushwood,' found in Lealholm (PN NRY 133) and leah, hence 'wood or clearing where such are found.' The spelling Letlle is clearly an error.