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.

Whelpley (Level)

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hailsham

Historical Forms

  • Welpele 14th Bay
  • Whelpele 1396 SAC53,46
  • Whelpelie 1642 SRS14,192

Etymology

Whelpley (Level) is Welpele 14thBay , Whelpele 1396 SAC 53, 46, Whelpelie 1642 SRS 14, 192 and must be from OE  hwelpa-leah , 'whelps' clearing,' i.e. where they play, cf. hwelpes dell BCS 596 and Whelpley Hill (PN Bk 213).