Weeley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Weeley
Historical Forms
- Wileiam 1086 DB
- Wileia, Wilega, Wilege, Wiley(e), Wileya 1096 Colch 1346 FA
- Wilye 1236 Fees
- Wilie 1555 FF
- Willeye 1119 Colch
- Willeigh t.Ed6 HMCii
- Wigelai 1181 StP
- Wyle(e), Wyleia, Wyleya, Wyleye, Wylegh(e) 1235–54 Ass 1362 Pat
- Wylegh(e) Abb'is 1254 Ass
- Wyleght 1480 Pat
- Wyly parcke 1540 LP
- Wel(e)y 1512–50 EASxxi
- Wellye 1570 FF
- Weyleygh 1540 Rental
- Weighleigh alias Wyghleigh 1548 Pat
- Weeley or Wiley 1768 M
- Whyley 1568 FF
Etymology
OE wīh , wēoh , 'idol,' probably also 'temple,' and leah. See Willey (PN Sr 175) for a list of such names. We may perhaps add Willeys Field infra 609, Wylye in Little Wakering (1248Ass ) and Wyleye in High Ongar (1362Ct ). Abbatis because part of the possessions of the Abbot of St John's, Colchester. For -leght cf. Leigh supra 188–9.