Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Parvam Migelheiam 1150–70 YCh1728

• Migelie, Migelaia, Migeley, Migelay c.1170 Pont 1170–85 YCh 1196–1202 1241 DodsN 1317 YDviii

• Litle Migelay 12 Riev

• Miggele(y), Miggelay 13 YDi 1234 Ebor 1276 Ch 1474 DodsN

• Mygley 1583 PRThl

• Mydsley 1604 ib

• Midgley 1657 Pick

• Nether Midgley, Over Midgley 1822 Langd

Etymology

Midgley, Parvam Migelheiam 1150–70 YCh 1728, Migelie , Migelaia , Migeley , Migelay c. 1170 Pont, 1170–85 YCh 1722, 1196–1202 ib viii, 1241 DodsN, 1317 YD viii(p), Litle Migelay 12 Riev, Miggele (y ), Miggelay 13 YD i, 1234 Ebor, 1276 Chet freq to 1474 DodsN, Mygley 1583 PRThl, Mydsley 1604 ib, Midgley 1657 Pick, Nether Midgley , Over Midgley 1822 Langd.'Midge infested clearing', v. mycg , ēah, cf. Midgley iii, 132, (Otley) pt. iv, Midgeley (Goldsborough) pt. v infra . Insect names (some of which may have been used as nicknames) are frequent in p.ns., cf. ǣmette 'ant', bēo 'bee', ceafor 'beetle', emel 'caterpillar', wifel 'weevil' in EPN passim . But this p.n. might also be from OE  micg 'liquid drainings of manure', surviving as NCy dial. migg ; cf. also Midge Hole iii, 200infra .