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.

Willey

Major Settlement in the Parish of Willey

Historical Forms

  • Welei 1086 DB
  • Wele 1372 IpmR
  • Wilee 1130 France
  • Wilega 1179 P 1230 FF 1305 Ch 1401 IpmR
  • Willeie 1230 AC
  • Willey(e) 1230 Bracton 1544 LP
  • Wylley 1262 Ass 1535
  • Wily 1350 Pat

Etymology

This is almost certainly another example of the place-name Willey or Weeley denoting a wood or grove containing a heathen temple or place of worship, from weoh and leah . Cf. Weoley (PN Wo 350), Willey (PN Sr 175) and Weeley (PN Ess 355).

Places in the same Parish

None