Lilley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Lilley
Historical Forms
- Linleia 1086 DB
- Linlege 1204 Fees 1445 Pat
- Lingley 1209–35 Wells 1240 RBE
- Lyngleye 1315 Ipm
- Lilley 1275 RH
- Lylly 1428 FA
- Lylle 1499 FF
- Lylly al. Lynley 1549 ib
- Lilley streete 1641 DeedsEnrolled
- Lyndley al. Lylley 1555 Recov
Etymology
'Clearing where flax was grown,' v. lin , leah , or 'lime tree clearing.' The absence of any early spellings Lind - is somewhat against derivation from OE lind , 'lime tree,' though d is early lost from this compound, cf. Lindley (PN WRY 123). On the other hand, the high exposed situation makes flax-growing unlikely. Streete refers to the road through the long straggling village.