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.

Whistley Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Potterne

Historical Forms

  • Wyslegh, Whisle, Wyschele 1289 Ass
  • Whischele, Whistele 1341 Cor
  • Whysheley 1579 Recov

Etymology

Whistley Fm is Wyslegh , Whisle , Wyschele 1289Ass , Whischele , Whistele 1341Cor , Whystley 1547 £/?, Whysheley 1579Recov .A compound of OE  wisce, 'damp meadow,' and leah. Cf. Wisley (PN Sr 155). It is probable that this same compound repeats itself in fields called Whistley Leaze, Whistly Mead, Whistly Bottom and Whistle Mead, but we have no really early forms for these names.