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.

Kalkeleys

Early-attested site in the Parish of Leighfield

Historical Forms

  • Calkeleghes 1369 For
  • Calkelyes 1371 Ipm
  • Kalkeleis 1371 IpmR
  • Kalkeleyes 1373 Ipm
  • Calkeleyes 1375 Fine
  • Kalkeleys 1379,1385 ib

Etymology

KALKELEYS (lost), Calkeleghes 1369 For, Calkelyes 1371 Ipm, Kalkeleis 1371 IpmR, Kalkeleyes 1373 Ipm, Calkeleyes 1375 Fine, Kalkeleys 1379, 1385 ib; the first el. is OE  calc which has the range of meanings 'chalk, limestone, coarse sand mixed with pebbles, heavy clay'. The last signification seems most appropriate in this area, hence 'the woodland clearings with heavy clay ground', v. calc , lēah . It is possible that Cockleys (v. f.ns. (b) infra ) is a later development of this name.