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.

Wortley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Wotton under Edge

Historical Forms

  • Wurtheleye c.1200 Berk
  • Wrthel' 1221 Ass
  • Writhlee 1287 QW
  • Wrtelegh', Wurteleg' 1221 Ass
  • Worteleg(h), Wortele, Worteley(e) 1221 Ass c.1320 Berk 1363 Ass 1590 Comm
  • Wortley 1593 Rent 1650 PR
  • Writhlee 1287 QW

Etymology

'Clearing used for growing plants and vegetables', v. wyrt , lēah , cf. Wortley (YW i, 298).