Hanley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hanley Castle
Historical Forms
- Hanlie, Hanlege 1086 DB
- Heanlega 1181 P
- Hanley 1314 FF 1344 FA 1535 VE
- Potters Handley 1633 QSR
Etymology
OE (æt ðæm ) hēan lēage , 'at the high clearing,' v. heah , leah .The castle goes back to King John (VCH iv. 93). From VCH (iv. 89, n. 1) we find that potters were among the customary tenants in 1296. They are mentioned again in 1307 and in the 16th cent. Cf. Potterspury (Nth), called also from the same trade.