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.

Aveley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Aveley

Historical Forms

  • Aluitheleam, Aluielea, Auileiam 1086 DB
  • Alvith(e)le(e), Alvythele 1202–61 FF 1377 ADi
  • Alvethele(g) 1248 FF 1315 Ipm 1335 Londin
  • Auvil(l)ers 1205 FF 1212 1259 Pat
  • Auvel(l)ers 1247–51 FF 1264 Misc
  • Auvil(l)iers 1207–23 FF
  • Auvylers 1243 ib
  • Auvelers 1254 ib
  • Auuelers 1285 Pat
  • Alvidelega t.Hy3 RBE
  • Alvideleye 1258 FF
  • Alvedeleye 1247 Ch
  • Auvidele 1275 RH
  • Alvytlee 1368 Pat
  • Alvilega t.Hy3 RBE
  • Alvyleye t.Ed1 FA
  • Avil(l)ers 1227 FF 1234 Bracton 1262 Pat 1286 Ch
  • Avellers 1268 FF
  • Alithel' 1254 FF
  • Alvevele 1292 Abbr
  • Alviueley 1310 Ipm
  • Alveuiyele 1327 Ipm
  • Alvihele 13th StJohn
  • Alvieleia 1332 Ch
  • Alvuthele 1303,1428 FA
  • Alfedele 1366 FF
  • Alfithele 1381 Pat 1384 Cl
  • Avithele(gh) 1316 Ipm 1339 Pat
  • Awelay, Hawelay, Aulay 1480 Cely
  • Awley 1524 DKRxliii
  • Albithley, Alveley, Aveley 1535 VE
  • Aulflye 1547 FF
  • Avely t.Eliz ChancP
  • Albethley alias Autheley 1603 EAvi

Etymology

'Ælfgȳð 's leah.' This woman's name is found also in Alveley (Sa) pronounced [ɑˑvli]. Zachrisson (AN Infl 113) explains this name as 'Æþelgifu 's clearing,' but this does not account for such forms as Alvithele or Alvideleye . Such forms as Alvevele , etc., standing alone would mean 'the clearing of Ælfgiefu (f),' but are to be explained as due to substitution of v for th ; cf. Wormingford infra 403–4, Wiwemundesford 1190, Wytherling (K), Wiwerlinges 1212, Wiverlinges 1262 RBE, Stepney (Mx), Stebbehive 1174–89 DKR xxxv. For the French substitution of d for th v. IPN 109, and for the variation between v and b cf. Bobbingworth supra 52.

The forms Auvillers , Auvilliers , Auvelers and the like are curious. They are derived for the most part from Feet of Fines and must doubtless be explained as due to Anglo-Norman influence. It may be an attempt to assimilate the name to a common French type of name ending in -villers , -villiers , etc., assisted by such a manorial type as Garnunere , Garners , etc., discussed under Garnons infra 404.