Leighfield
Major Settlement in the Parish of Leighfield
Historical Forms
- Leghe 1266 For 1286 Ass
- Leye 1275 Abbr 1276 Pat c1291 Tax 1319 Pat 1385 Fine
- Leya 1256 For
- Lee 1474 Pat 1507 et passim
- Lee al' Leigh 1582 FF
- Lighe 1266 For
- Lye 1296,1327 SR 1371 FF 1453 Cl
- Lee al' Leefeld(e) 1501,1505 Cl 1538 Hastings
- Leygh al' Leygfeld 1532 ib
- Lye al' Lyefeld 1513 ib
- le Leyfeld in villa de Lye c1318 FH
- Leyefeld' 1369,1372 For
- (le) Leyfeld 1388,1462,1485 Pat
- Leefeld(e) 1399,1466 1507 Pat
- Ly(e)feld 1373 Ipm 1391 Pat 1505 et passim
- Lyghfeld 1475 ib
- Lighfeld 1510 LP
- foresta regis de Lyfelde 1491 For
- forest of Ly c1545 Leland
- Leefeilde Forest 1610 Speed
- Lea Forest 1618 LML
- Forest of Leighfeild al's Leefeild al's Rutland 1677 Deed
- Leighfield Forest al' Rutland Forest 1711 Recov
Etymology
Originally OE lēah in its early sense 'woodland'. Later, OE feld 'open country' or 'land for pasture or cultivation' was added when the forest began to be cleared, v. lēah , feld . The earthworks of the deserted medieval village are sited east of Leighfield Lodge at SK 830 040, v. MER 25–6.