Wakerley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Wakerley
Historical Forms
- Wacherlei 1086 DB
- Wacherlai 1162 P
- Wakerlea 1184 P
- Wacerlea 1166 P(CR)
- Waterlea 1168 P
- Wakeleg 1215,1216 ClR
- Wakirle 1274,1385 Cl
- Wakirley 1414 ADvi
- Waukerle 1282 Cl
Etymology
This is a difficult name. Wakerley has a commanding situation above the valley of the Welland, and it is difficult not to believe that the name should in one way or another be associated with OE wacor , 'watchful.' We can hardly suppose that that adj. was used in direct description of the leah, for we have no parallel for such a name-type. More probably, the name was originally wacra-leah , 'leah of the watchful ones.' The most natural compound would have been an OE wæccera -leah , 'watchers' leah,' but this should give later Watcherley . Possibly that was the original form and it was modified under the influence of the common adj. wacor , of similar meaning but different pronunciation.