Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Scelneleie, Sciuelei 1086 DB

• Shelfleie, Shelfley 1198 YChviii 13 Lewes300d

• Schelflay, Schelfley 13 YDiii 1275–1308 WCR

• Seluelay, Selueleia 13 YDiii 1201 FF 1202–10 YChviii 1228 Hall

• Shelvele 1254 FF

• Schelveley, Schelvelay Hy3 Arm a.1290 YDiii 1324 Arm

• Chelueley 1316 Vill

• Skelflay 1243 Fees

• Scheflay 1297 LS

• Schellai, Schellay, Schelley 1220–30 Bodl102 1314 WCR 1359,1381 DodsN 1449 YDiii

• Scelley p.1290 ib

• Shelley, Shellay 1344 DodsN 1448 Pat 1597 SessnR

Etymology

'Glade or clearing on a shelving terrain', v. scelf , lēah . The village stands on falling ground just above where it begins to slope abruptly down to Shepley Brook. The single Skelflay spelling is due to ON influence.