English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Wilby

Major Settlement in the Parish of Wilby

Historical Forms

  • Willabyg c.1067 ASWills 12th
  • Wilebi 1086 DB 1334 Cl
  • Willeb(i) 1186 France
  • Willeby 1232 FF
  • Wylleby 1268 Ass 1343 FF
  • Willyby 1382 ADiv
  • Wyliby 1210 P
  • Wylyby juxta Wenlingburgh 1204 Ass
  • Wylby 1321 Cl
  • Wilbe 1572 FF
  • Wyluby 1285 Ass 1297 Ipm
  • Willuby 1285 Ass
  • Wylughby 1353 Ipm 1394 Cl
  • Wilughbi t.Ed3 For
  • Wylughby 1394 Cl
  • Wyloughby 1428 FA
  • Weluby 1316,1346 FA
  • Weleby 1377 Cl
  • Welby 1383 Cl

Etymology

This may be 'by by the willows,' v. welig , wylig . Cf. Willbury (Herts), Wiligbyrig 1007 Crawf 11. The early forms suggest, however, that we should perhaps start rather from a Scand  pers. name Willi (cf. Wille , Lundgren-Brate 300), with later confusion of the first element with the common welig ,' willow.'7

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site