Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Dalbi 1086 DB 1229 Nichols m.13(1404),p.1250(1404) Laz 1272 RGrav

• Dalbia c.1130 LeicSurv

• Dalby 1086 DB Hy2 Dugd 1212 Cur p.1250 Laz 1404 Cl 1284

• Daleby c.1130 LeicSurv a.1250 Laz 1404 RH 1275

• Daubi l.12 Dane e.13 Laz 1404 Berkeley e.13 Laz a.1250(1404),m.13(1404)

• Dauby e.13 1404 Berkeley 1231 RHug 1209×35 Ipm 1273 RH 1276

• Daulby 1449 WoCart

• Magna ~ c.1130 LeicSurv 12 Nichols 1535 MinAccts

• ~ Magna 1238 RGros 1404 Laz 1609,1678 LML

• Majore ~ c.1450 TutP

• Majori ~ 1535 VE

• ~ Chaucumb(e) 1220 MHW 1233 RHug 1315 Cl 1327 Banco

• ~ Cha(u)combe 1316 FA 1320 Cl 1615,1630 LML

• ~ Jacomb(e) 1611 1720 MagBrit

• ~ Chalcomb(e) 1613,1675 LML

• Cha(u)co(u)mbe ~ 1272 RGrav 1315 Cl 1329 Ipm

• Chakun ~ 1295 ib

• Checom ~ 1436 Pat

• Chacum ~ 1535 VE

Etymology

'The farmstead, village in the valley', v. dalr , bȳ ). Spellings in -au - for ON  -al - for both Great Dalby and Little Dalby infra are due to AN influence.

Although both Great Dalby and Little Dalby were in existence by the date of the Domesday Survey, Great Dalby had the higher valuation and was probably the settlement from which Little Dalby, although in a different wapentake, was an offshoot. It lies at the head of a wide valley running north towards R. Wreake. Little Dalby, two miles to the east, is also tucked into the head of a small valley which opens to the north, and its name, although probably transferred from that of Great Dalby, is appropriate to its location. Great Dalby was held by Hugo de Chaucumbe 12 Nichols, by Robertus de Chaucumb 1212 Cur, e.13, 1231 Berkeley and by the prior et conventus de Chaucumb (e )1233, 1235 RHug, 1238 RGros, 1272 RGrav (v. Chalcombe, Nth 50).