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.

Keresley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Keresley

Historical Forms

  • Keresleia c.1144 Ch 1348
  • Kereslega 1179 P 1221 Ass
  • Keresle c.1185 Ch 1348 FF 1345
  • Keresleye 1275 Ipm 1327 SR 1451 Ch
  • Kerusley c.1170 Monast 1332 FF 1368 AD
  • Kerysley 1542 LP
  • Kersleye 1262 Ass 1543 LP
  • Kyresleye 1309 Ass
  • Kyrsley 1547 Monast
  • Karesl' 1348 Ch
  • Carseley 1515 FF
  • Caresley 1553 Pat 1625 PCC 1656 Dugdale

Etymology

This is a difficult name. Forms and topography alike are against association with OE  cærse , 'cress.' The OSw  Kærer (Lundgren 158) would provide a satisfactory Anglo-Scand name as the first element. For such a hybrid compound with leah cf. Osmotherley (PN NRY 213) and Gunnildeleg (13thCombe ) in Radbourne (supra xxiii). For the form Kerus -v. Introd. xxvii.