Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• in loco qui nominatur æt glenne, æt glenne 849 BCS455 11 S

• Glenne 1199 FF 1268 RGrav 1436 Fine 1467 Nichols 1549,1550 Pat

• Glenn l.13 CustRo 1313 Wyg

• Glen 1086 DB 1140 Reg

• Glene 1327 Pat 1510 Visit 1535 VE

• Gleen 1308 Wyg 1332 Misc 1350 Pat

• Gleane 1582 LEpis

• Glynne 1535 VE

• Magna ~ 1238 RGros 1247 Ass 1482 FA 1519 EpCB

• ~ Magna 1274 Ass 1329 Ipm 1576 LibCl 1580 LEpis

• Mikel ~ 1406,1410 Pat

• Much ~ 1568 LeicW 1558×79 ECP

• Great(e) ~ 1610 Speed

• Willelmus Martell in 1247 Fine

• Rogerus Martel in 1333 ib

Etymology

Probably a place-name formed from an earlier name for the river Sence (which is an OE  formation), a Brit *Glan  ā from *glano - (PrW  *glen ) 'clean, beautiful', hence 'the clean one' alluding to a clear stream, giving an early OE settlement-name '(the place which is called) At the Glen', cf. R. Glen, DLPN 50. Alternatively, because of early spellings with -nn -, a Brit *glennos (Celtic *glïn , Gaelic gleann ) 'a valley' may also be considered. However, although Great Glen lies in a pronounced valley of the river Sence at this particular location, Glen Parva which is situated some five miles to the west on the same stream, was established where a valley is much less noticeable. Hence, a Brit river-name seems likelier for the origin of both Great Glen and Glen Parva. The notion of the river as a Brit name meaning 'the clean one' is supported by its Anglo-Saxon name Sence (OE  senc 'a draught, a drink') implying a copious supply of good drinking water.

If the origin of Great Glen and Glen Parva is indeed *glennos 'a valley', it is possible that the name of the valley at Great Glen was extended to become a British district name, eventually applied to two settlements within its compass which were only coincidentally beside the river.

Eudo Martell held the manor of Great Glen c.1235 RHug, Willelmus Martell in 1247 Fine and Rogerus Martel in 1333 ib. Note MLat  magna 'great' and v. micel , mikill , much , grēat .