Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• la Lecheye, la Lekheye, la Lechay, Lekhaye 1255 FF 1271 For 1299 Ct(Hales) 1314 Pat 1315 Orig 1394,1408 IpmR

• Lykheye, Lykehay 1271,1280 For 1427 Ct

• la Leckhaye ' 1337 Ipm

• Lyckhay, Lickhay 1473–5 BM 1675 NQB

• The Leckhay 1781 BiblWo

• Leekhay 1792 NQB

Etymology

All that can be said with certainty with respect to this name is that it was the name of a forest-enclosure (v. (ge)hæg). The first element might be leac , but there are two serious objections to it, viz. that one would not expect such an element in a forest- name and that it hardly explains the Lyk - forms.