Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Eleslac 1086 DB 1267 Furn

• Ellesclac 1219 YChvii

• Elsclak in Craven 1361 FF

• Haylslak, Ailselaik 1219 YChvii

• Elselak 1240 FF

• Elslac(k), Elslak 1219 FF 1252–68 YDi 1280 Ass 1328 Banco 1587 Comm90

• Elslake 1276 RH 1303 KF 1305 YI 1569 FF

• Elslayke 1585 WillY

• Elleslak(e), Elleslake, Elleslac 1231 Ass19 1231,1254 FF 1400 YI

• Elleslac in Cravene 1260 YI

• Elleslache 1249 YChvii

• Ellyslack 1562 Temp

• Estlac 1285 KI

• Esslake 1303 KF

• Elclake 1305 YI

Etymology

'Elli's stream', from the OE  pers.n. E (l )e , Æl (l )i (as in Elsworth v, 124 supra ), a strong form of Ella (as in Eltofts iv, 104supra ), and lacu . The spellings Ailselaik , Elselak show that the second el. cannot be ON  slakki 'a depression'. Elslack was clearly the original name of Elslack Beck.