Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Witherslak(e), Wytherslak(e), Witherslack(e) 1186–1200 Kendii,90 1251 1267 Ch 1279 Ass9d 1283 Ipm 1292 QW 1672 PR(R)

• Wythereslak 1256 FF

• Whytherslak 1249 Kendii,250

• Whitherslakes 1372 Misc

• Werrslak 1291 Ipm

• Wytherwerslak 1291 CWxxii,310

• Withreslak 1352 Ipm

• Weterslake 1390–4 Kendii,224

• Wethersla(c)ke, Wethirsla(c)ke 1461 Pat 1539 Kendi,330 1657 Comm

• Widerslak(k)e, Wyderslak(k)e, -slack 1513 Lowth(Ke25) 1521 Kendii,259 1718 Will

Etymology

'Hollow in the wood', v. viðr (gen.sg. viðar ), slakki . On formal grounds ON  við (gen.sg. viðjar ) 'willow, withy' is also possible.