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.

Worsley Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Rock

Historical Forms

  • Worfesleahges gemæra c.957 BCS1007 11th
  • Wermeslai 1086 DB
  • Werveslega c.1150 Surv
  • Worvesle(ga) 1180 France c.1225 SR 1275
  • Werueslea 1185 P
  • Worwesle 1275 Ass
  • Werwesle 1327 SR
  • Wornesleye (sic) 1332 SR
  • Wordesley 1424 IpmR
  • Worsley 1603 SR
  • Wardisley 1613 WillsP

Etymology

Just to the east of the farm there is a small stream running down into Dick Brook and probably the clearing (v. leah ) takes its name from this stream, which must at one time have been called Worf . This stream-name is found elsewhere in the uuorf (BCS 1093), wurf (BCS 788) which lies behind the name Wroughton (W). Hence, 'clearing of (or by) the Worf.'