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.

Leigh

Major Settlement in the Parish of Leigh

Historical Forms

  • Beornothesleah, Beornoðesleah 972 BCS1282 c.1050
  • Lege, Lega 1086 DB c.1086 EveA 1190 Surv c.1150 Tax 1291
  • Leya 1251 BM 1275 SR
  • Lye juxta magnam Maluerniam 1389 FF
  • Lyʒgh 1535 VE
  • Leight, Lyeth, Lyght 16th Wills
  • Lye 1646 Nash 18th Ogilby 1675

Etymology

v. leah . Originally this clearing was distinguished by the prefixing of the pers. name Beornnōð , later as 'near Malvern.'