Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hooby(e), Hoobie, the dividable Hoobye 1633 Bru

• The Hubyes 1646 Deed

• Hoobies 1707 Anc

• Far Hoobys, Hither Hoobys, Middle Hoobys 1758 Surv 1785 Anc

• Far Hobys 1776,1830,1847 BHS

• Greens Far Hoby 1776,1830,1847 ib

• Greens Hither Hoby Close 1776,1830,1847 ib

• Hoby Closes 1776,1830,1847 ib

• Hooby Gate Close 1904 Anc

• Hooby Closes 1908 Deed

• Hooby Fields 1904 Anc 1908 Deed

• Hooby Hedge Furlong 1652 Surv

• Hoby Furlong c1720,1776,1830,1846 BHS

• Hooby Lodge 1806 Map 1845 BHS 1846,1863 White 1904 Anc

• Hoby Lodge c1800 Map

Etymology

The earliest surviving recording of Hooby is as a field-name of neighbouring Thistleton parish. Possibly it signifies 'the farmstead at the spur of land', v. hōh , bȳ . There is a low ridge (hōh ) to the south-east of the site of the present lodge. If this interpretation is correct, Hooby is one of only two possible recorded examples of p.ns. in -bȳ in Rutland, the other being Birchaby in Belton. The name Hooby, however, may well be manorial, a family name taken from Hoby in the Wreake Valley in east Lei (cf. John Hoby 1522 MilS, 1524 SR of Brooke, Hooby Farm in Thistleton and Hoby Cross in Wardley f.ns. (a)). If indeed a p.n. in -bȳ , it is significantly a hybrid formation with an OE specific and Scand generic, indicating minimal Norse influence within Rutland's boundaries. It would also be one of a string of three p.ns. in -bȳ sited between the Roman roads Ermine Street and Sewstern Lane, including Gunby and Stainby beyond the county boundary in Lincs.Both of these, however, are totally Scand formations, compounded with Norse personal names. The form Hooby Hedge (v. hecg ) indicates that, at least in 1652, Hooby had a recognized boundary.The present shape of Stretton parish suggests that formerly Hooby was a self-contained territory west of Ermine Street.