Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Astey(e), Astay 1275 WCR 1309 Ext 1445 YDv 1647 PREll

• Astlaye (sic) 1309 Ext

• Asdaie 1570 WillY

• Ash-day 1822 Langd

Etymology

Ashday, Astey (e ), Astay 1275 WCR (p), 1309 Ext, 1445 YD vet freq to 1647 PREll, Astlaye (sic)1309 Ext (p), Asdaie 1570 WillY, Ash-day 1822 Langd. On topographical grounds, the second el. is unlikely to be OE  ēg 'island' or ēa 'stream', as Ashday stands in a lofty position above a very steep declivity which forms the south-eastern end of the great ridge of Southowram supra . As with Wibsey 10supra , it may well be OE  (ge)hæg 'enclosure' or *hēah2 'a height'. 'East height', v. ēast .