Hanley Child
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hanley Child
Historical Forms
- Hanlege 1086 DB
- Cheldreshanle 1255 Ass
- Chuldrenehanle 1265 Misc
- Chylderne Henleye 1332 SR
- Children Hanley 1348 FF 1389 Pat
- Nether hanley 1577 Saxton
- Hanley Chylde 1581 Kyre
Etymology
'High clearing,' v. heah , leah . Probably Hanley Child and Hanley William originally took their name from the same 'high clearing.' Later when separate settlements arose they were distinguished as 'Nether' and 'Over.' Nether Hanley was also distinguished as 'Children's' in which the exact sense of 'child' is uncertain. In Childerley (C), if we may judge by the entry in DB, it may be used of a sokeman. See further Mawer, PN and History 27. For Childwick (Herts) Mr Bruce Dickins notes the statement in the Gesta Abbatum Mon . S. Albani (Rolls Series i. 54) 'a pueris trahit locus vocabulum, quia ad alimenta Monachorum Juniorum lacticiniis alendorum, con- ferebatur: unde Childewica nuncupatur,' suggesting that it could be used of a young monk and a similar origin is given by that historian for Childe Langeleya , now King's Langley.