Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hanelei(a), Hanelay 1086 DB 1243 Fees

• Honeley, Honelay 1252 Ebor 1274 WCR 1297 LS 1482 WB

• Honle(y), Honlay 1274,1298 WCR 1316 Vill 1370 YDi 1402 FA 1641 Rates

• Hanneley 1285,1286 WCR

• Hanley 1323 WCR 1350,1392,1397 DodsN

• Hanley als. Honley 1571 FF

• Hauneley 1379 PT

• Hounley Half 1588 LS

Etymology

'Cock clearing' (probably in the sense 'woodland glade where woodcock abounded') or possibly 'Hana's clearing' from the OE  pers.n. Hana , v. hana , lēah . On the midland forms in Hon (e )-, cf. Phonol. § 4; Haune - is a misreading of Hanne -. Half refers to a half of the township.