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.

Hale Drove

Early-attested site in the Parish of Littleport

Etymology

Hale Drove (6″). Cf. Halewere 1221ElyA , Halywerelak 1251Ely Couch , Alywerelake 1277Ely , Haylewood delff 1549Ct , Haleward lake 1606Depositions , Hale al. Blackmore Hale 1611ExcheqDecrees , The Hale 1636 BedL, v. wēr , lacu . The first element may be healh , 'nook, corner,' with reference probably to the land in the bend of the Old Croft River.