Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Brailes 1086 DB 1130 P c.1250 Kenilworth 1248 Ch 1397 Pat

• Brayles 1205 ClR 1208 PatR 1233 Cl 1262 Ass 1276 Compton 1291 Tax 1316 FA 1535 VE

• Brayls 1521 LP

• Little Brayles 1413 Cl

• Brailis 1122 Ch 1314 P 1174 Pat t.Hy2 1478

• Braeles t.Hy2 Warwick 1262 Ass

• Brales 1198 Cur

• Bralis c.1520 Compton

• Breiles 1205 PatR

• Breilles 1221,1306 Ass 1320 Magdalen

• Braylles 1350 Ass

• Breyles 1224 Bracton 1263 Ipm c.1280 Magdalen 1291 Tax 1293 Ass 1319 FF

• Breiles 1233 Cl c.1250 Kenilworth

• Brelis 1242 Fees 1262 Ass

• Breles 1265 Misc

• Breylis 1268 Ipm 1293 Ass

• Over Breyl(es) 1315 Ipm

• Upper Brailes, Lower Brailes 1656 Dugdale

Etymology

The most prominent feature in the parish is the hill which rises to 800 feet with a very steep scarp on all sides. The first element may therefore well be the Celtic bre , 'hill,' noted under High Bray (PN D 57). The second might be the Celtic les , lis (W llys , Co les ), 'court, palace, residence of a chieftain,' etc., suggested also for Charles (PN D 61). If this is correct, the name would be a very ancient one, going back to the period when British names were formed with the defining element first, as in the Germanic languages and not as in the later Welsh, Cornish and Breton. Cf. Arrallas (Co), Arganlis 1086 DB, Argantles 1259 FF. Professor Vendryes similarly notes Gaelic  Durlas (English Thurles ) from Hogan, Onomasticon Goidelicum 390. See further Introd. xx.