Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Esfaghe (sic for Efsaghe) 1185–1215 YCh1874 16

• Everschagch 1324 Calv

• Eueschahe 1351 YDiv

• Evesey Woode 1540 MonRent

• Essey Woodes 1540 MinAcct

• Earshaw 1839 TA

Etymology

Essey Wood (lost), Esfaghe (sic for Efsaghe )1185–1215 (16) YCh 1874, Everschagch 1324 Calv, Eueschahe 1351 YD iv, Evesey Woode 1540 MonRent, Essey Woodes 1540MinAcct , identical with Earshaw 1839TA . Probably a compound of OE  efes 'edge, border (esp. of a wood), edge of a bank' and sceaga 'copse'. The field (no. 501) mentioned in TA 446 is identical and lies 600 yards west of Henshaw (1″ O.S. 96–200404) near the top of the steep hill-side overlooking Yeadon Gill.