Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• He(i)lilee 1371 WCR

• Hilele 1379 PT

• Hileleghe, Hyleleghe 1525 WCR5d

• Hyleley 1624 Greave

• Hyleleigh 1647 FGr

• Hilylye 1551 WillY

• the Hilleley 1588 WillY

• Hyelely 1624 Greave

• Highlilee 1715 FGr

• Hylegley 1709 WMB

• Highlee 1696 YDr 1758 TaxS

• Heileigh 1775 Watson

Etymology

High Lee, He (i )lilee 1371WCR (p), Hilele 1379 PT (p), Hileleghe , Hyleleghe 1525WCR 5d, Hyleley 1624 Greave, Hyleleigh 1647FGr 20, Hilylye 1551 WillY, the Hilleley 1588 WillY, Hyelely 1624 Greave, Highlilee 1715FGr 20, Hylegley 1709 WMB, Highlee 1696 YDr, 1758 TaxS, Heileigh 1775 Watson 300. Probably this was originally 'hillock clearing' (v. hygel ) or 'high clearing' (v. hēah , lēah ), with lee added pleonastically and later forms reduced by dissimilation.Cf. also Highley Hall 3supra , High Lee Green 152infra .