Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hund(r)eslege 1086 DB

• Hundeslai, Hundeslei(e), Hundesley, Hundesle 1100 YCh 1109–28 1195 Ch 1335 YI 1410

• Hundeslayque 1310–39 Melsa

• Honderlad (sic) 1137–46 YCh968

• Howneslow 1505 Test

• Hunsley 1570 FF

Etymology

Hunsley is Hund (r )eslege 1086 DB, Hundeslai , Hundeslei (e ), Hundesley , Hundesle 1100 YCh 1894, 1109–28 ib. 966–7, 1195 (1335) Chet passim to 1410 YI, Hundeslayque 1310–39 Melsa, Honderlad (sic)1137–46 YCh 968, Howneslow 1505 Test, Hunsley 1570 FF. Possibly 'Hund 's clearing,' from the OE  pers. name Hund (cf. Houndsfield, PN Wo 354) and leah , though the DB spellings with medial r rather suggest a compound of OE  hundred and leah , 'the clearing belonging to the hundred.' Hunsley Beacon Division (supra 189) takes its name from this place, although the division itself seems to be of later origin.