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.

Wistley Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Coberley

Historical Forms

  • Uuisleag 759 BCS187 orig.
  • Wistley Hill 1777 M

Etymology

Wistley Hill, Uuisleag 759 (orig.) BCS 187, Wistley Hill 1777 M.This is a piece of marshy land at the highest local spot on the Thames-Severn watershed (144–977182), and there can be little doubt that it means 'clearing near a swampy meadow', v. wisse , lēah ; OE  wisse may also occur in Wishanger (131supra ).