Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Werlafeslei 1086 DB

• Werloweley 1274–1307 WCR 1309 Ext

• Werlouleye 1323 WCR

• Warlowby (sic) 1316 Vill

• Werloley 1275–1313 WCR

• Werlollay 1323 MinAcct

• Warluley 1314 Watson

• Werlullay 1323 MinAcct

• Warlullay, Warlulley 1327 WCR 1368,1383,1404 MinAcct

• Worlulley 1342 Tayl

• Warleley, Warlelay 1314,1323 WCR 1323 MinAcct

• Warlely 1551 FF

• Warwolfley 1323 WCR

• Warwlley 1323 WCR

• Warouley 1326 ib

• Warbillay 1379 PT

• Warley, Warlei 1416 YI 1538,1562 PRHfx 1638 SessnR

• Warlegh 1537 FF

• Warle 1563 PRHfx

• Wareley, Warelaye 1492 MinAcct 1579 WillY 1649 MinAcct

• Worley 1492 MinAcct 1522 YDiii

• Wharley 1693 Yorke

Etymology

The problem involved in the identification of DB Werlafeslei with Warley is dealt with in connexion with Halifax 104supra ; the later medieval spellings of Warley confirm the identity on linguistic grounds. The 1379 spelling Warbillay is an error for Warlullay and the 1323 form Warwolfley arises from a false association of the first el. with OE  werewulf , ME  warwolf 'a werewolf'. The p.n. probably means 'Werlaf's glade or clearing', from the OE  pers.n. Wērlāf and lēah , though the later medieval forms could represent a development of OE  wǣrloga , ME  werlaw 'an oath-breaker, a traitor' (perhaps used as a byname); Warlaby YN 276, which has similar ME  spellings for the first el., also has the DB spelling Warlaues - as well Werleges -, etc., the latter certainly suggesting OE  wærlog (a ) rather than Wērlāf .