Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Borelaie 1086 DB

• Bordelei(a), Bordelay, Bordeley c.1134–52 Furn a.1152 YChvii 1162 a.1175 c.1200 Font 13 FountPres 1596 FF

• Nether Bordeley, Over Bordeley 1198 Fount 1461 Vyner

• Nedyr Bordeley, Ouer Bordeley 1457 FountBurs

• Bordeley in Craven 1292 Ch

• Bordlei(a), Bordley c.1190 Fount l.12 Font 1686 PRCon

• Ne(y)ther Bordley 1524 Testv 1590 FF

• Over Bordley 1558 WillY 1590 FF

• Overberlay (sic for Overborlay), Wederborlay (sic for Nederborlay) 1535 VE

• Brodley 1586 WillY 1658 WillS

Etymology

'Brorda's forest-glade or clearing', v. lēah ; the pers.n. is OE  Brorda , which would become Borda by dissimilation (cf. Feilitzen 208). It is also possible that the name means 'glade from which boards were got' (v. bord ), but the medial -e - favours the first suggestion.