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.

Wharncliffe (Chase)

Early-attested site in the Parish of Tankersley

Historical Forms

  • Querncliffe 1406 Cust
  • Wharnecliffe 1598 SessnR
  • Wharne-Clyffe 1606 SheffMan
  • Wharneclif 1734 YDr
  • Wharncliffe-chase 1828 Hntii,314

Etymology

Wharncliffe (Chase), Querncliffe 1406 Cust, Wharnecliffe 1598 SessnR, Wharne -Clyffe 1606 SheffMan, Wharneclif 1734 YDr, Wharncliffe-chase 1828 Hnt ii, 314, 'cliff where querns or millstones were obtained', v. cweorn , clif . It refers to a long steep cliff and rocky edge overlooking the Don valley. On initial Wh - cf. Phonol. § 39.