Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Winehel(l)e 1086 DB

• Willenham, Wilenhale 1210 FF

• Wyllenhale 1297 CornAcc

• Wylenhale 1303 AD

• Willenhale 1346 FA

• Wilehal' 1220 Fees

• Wilehal c.1240 AD

• Wyllehale 1252 FF

• Wilehale 1254–5 RH 1285 Ass

• Wylehale 1274 Ipm 1278–9 RH

• Willehale 1397 Cl

• Willhalle, Wylhale 1242–3 Fees

• Wilhale 1300 Ipm 1348 Cl

• Wylhall 1348 Cl

• Whynhale 1428 FA

• Wynnale 1450 AD

• Winnall early18th ParColl

Etymology

This name must be considered together with Winnal, Wennall Street (PN Wo 272, 23) and Willenhall [winəl] (PN Wa 190). In PN Wa it is suggested that the meaning is 'willow corner' (v. h(e)alh), from a lost OE  *wilegn . The early forms with -ll - are rather frequent for the Oxfordshire name, and the personal name Willa is a possible alternative for the first element. Cf. also Willanhalch , BCS 149, 150, which Duignan (Notes on Staffordshire Place Names , London 1902, p. 173) identifies with Willenhall near Walsall, and which also looks like 'Willa 's corner.'

Hempton is another form of the name of the neighbouring village of Henton.