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.

Farnley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Otley

Historical Forms

  • on Fearnleage c.1030 YCh7
  • Fernelai, Fernelei, Fernelay 1086 DB 1190–1208 YCh54 1208 FF 1577 Comm
  • Fernelai juxta Ottelay 13 YDix
  • Fernalei c.1190 Sawl148
  • Fernley 1488 WillY
  • Farnelay, Farnelai, Farneley 12 RegAlbii,49d 13 YDix 1202 FF 1246 Ass33d 1268 Baild 1658 WillS
  • Farnelay in Werfdale 13 YDx
  • Farnlaia 1170–85 YCh55–7
  • Farnlle(y) 1240 FF 1276 YI 1542 Testvi

Etymology

'Forest-glade or clearing overgrown with fern', v. fearn , lēah , a p.n. which occurs several times ii, 267, iii, 211 supra .