Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• le Delue 1330 Ct

• le Delf 1343 ib

• ye Delfes 1563 Fenlandv

• the Delphs, the Nether delph, the Upper delph 1604 Atkyns

• Lesdelfes called Delffet Osdelff 1549 Ct

• Delfe et Esdelfe 1595 SP

• Hisdelfe 1207 Rams 1344

• Hosedelf 1221 ElyA

• Os(e)delf 1251 ElyCouch 1277 Ely

• Osdel(were) 1435 Peterhouse

• Ousedelph 1604 Atkyns

Etymology

Upper Delphs, Lower Delphs is le Delue 1330Ct , le Delf 1343 ib., y e Delfes 1563 Fenland v, the Delphs , the Nether delph , the Upper delph 1604Atkyns , v. (ge)delf. Alternatively they are known as Lesdelfes called Delffet Osdelff 1549Ct , Delfe et Esdelfe 1595SP , and the second of these is called Hisdelfe 1207 (1344) Rams, Hosedelf 1221ElyA , Os (e )delf 1251ElyCouch , 1277Ely , Osdel (were )1435Peterhouse , Ousedelph 1604Atkyns . The Delphs are on the banks of the Ouse, but the forms suggest that Osedelf , etc. refer not to the position by the Ouse but to the ose or ooze (OE  wāse) found in them.