Alby
Major Settlement in the Parish of Alby with Thwaite
Historical Forms
- Alabei, Alebei 1086 DB
- Alebi 1194 Cur 1196,1197(p) P 1269 Ass 1275 RH
- Aleby 1254–75 Val 1269,1307 Ipm 1257,1269,1286 Ass 1272 AD 1306,1313,1336 FF 1316 FA 1275 RH
- Halebi 1269 Ass
- Alby 1275 RH 1321,1322 Ipm 1325to1388 FF 1361 AD 1477,1548 Pat
- Alleby 1298 BM
- Albye 1535 VE
Etymology
The-first element is the gen. of the OScand pers.n. Ali , evidenced as ODan Ali , OSwed Ale , OWScand Áli (DGP, SMP, Lind). The long vowel in Scandinavian, a result of compensatory lengthening (cf. OHG Analo ), was shortened in the trisyllabic compound. The modern pronunciation /ɔ:lbi/ would seem to be a late development (v. Insley 13, Sandred 1988: 19).