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.

Dhoul's Pavement

Early-attested site in the Parish of Halifax

Historical Forms

  • Dowelloynhed' 1492 MinAcct
  • the Devil's Causeway 1775 Watson
  • Devil's Pavement 1843 O.S.

Etymology

Dhoul's Pavement, Dowelloynhed '1492MinAcct , the Devil 's Causeway 1775 Watson 49, Devil 's Pavement 1843 O.S. This refers to the Roman road over Blackstone Edge, part of the paved track being still extant. The first el. is OE  deofol 'the devil', to whom many ancient works were ascribed in folk-lore. The form Dowel - or Dhoul - is dial., as in ME  deul (dwille in Towneley Plays), YW, La dial. dule . v. lane .There is a Dulesgate 181infra , which may be of similar origin.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name