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.

Ockley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Ockley

Historical Forms

  • Hoclei 1086 DB
  • Hokeleye c.1270 Winton
  • Hockeleye 1296 Ch
  • Oclei 1200 Cur
  • Occhel' 1212 Cur
  • Ockel' 1213 FF
  • Ockele(e) 1242 Fees 1279 Ass c.1290 BM 1291 Tax t.Ed1 BM
  • Ockeley(e) 1302 Ch 1309 BM
  • Ockelegh 1314,1327 Ipm 1370 Ass 1383 Ct
  • Okkele(gh) 1255,1259,1313 Ass 1428 FA
  • Okelege 1219 FF
  • Okeleg 1249,1270 FF
  • Okeleye 1300 Pat

Etymology

Probably 'Occa 's clearing,' v. leah . Cf. Oakendean, Ocklinge (PN Sx 210, 432) and Ockley supra 208. The early forms make it improbable that this can be the Aclea of ASC (s. a. 851), the scene of the battle between Æthelwulf and the Danes.