Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Chercheslegh, Cherchesley(e), Chercheslega 1189 GlastonInq 1228 Ch 1385 Ass

• Chercheslega in Abbodestone 1347 FF

• Chercheley 1496 FF

• Chirchelee, Chircheleye 1199,1325 FF

• Chyrchesle(e) 1248,1287 Ass

• Churcheslegh, Churchesleye, Churchesligh 1313 Ch 1385 Ass 1613 FF

• Churcheley, Churcheleighe 1400 FF 1444 Cl 1482 IpmR 1588 FF

• Churchley 1779 Rudder

Etymology

Possibly 'clearing near or belonging to the church', v. cirice , lēah .The site is not known, but Rudder 212 suggested that the place was named from 'an antient chapel dedicated to St Bartholomew', which lies less than ½ mile west of Wick across the Boyd. In view of the frequent spellings with medial -es -, however, the first el. is more likely to be a Brit hill-name from crūc1 'hill', as in Churchdown (ii, 119supra ).