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.

Cowleigh Park

Early-attested site in the Parish of Leigh

Historical Forms

  • Kaulege 1251 Ch
  • Cowleigh 1287 Duncombe'sHerefordshire 1351 ADiii 1453 BM
  • Couleghe c.1300 AOMB61 15th
  • Couley(e) 1351 ADvi 1360 Pat
  • Couley(e) juxta Malverne 1384 FF

Etymology

It is possible that the first form is corrupt and that the name is what it appears to be, viz. a compound of cu and leah . If it has to stand we must take the first element to be OE  cawel , col from Lat. caulis , used especially of rape. Hence 'clearing where cole grows.' v. cole , sb. 1 in NED, of which the various ME forms would explain those given here.