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.

Willoughby

Early-attested site in the Parish of Walesby

Historical Forms

  • Wilgebi 1086 DB 1156 BM
  • Wilkebi c.1200 Dane
  • Wilgheby t.Hy2 Ch 1316 BM 1203
  • Wilheby 1275 RH 1298 Ipm
  • Wyleghby juxta Walesby 1280 Ass
  • Willeby 1287 Ipm
  • Wylghby 1302 FF
  • Wylughby 1324 Ipm 1385 IpmR
  • Wylughbi juxta Walesby 1325 Ass

Etymology

'Willow-by,' a name which occurs three times in this county and is found also in Lincolnshire (four examples), Leicestershire and Warwickshire. It is curious that a hybrid compound of this type should be found so frequently.