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Archiver > BUCKS > 2002-12 > 1039045827


From: "Doug Kightley" <>
Subject: [BKM] Salcey Forest and Red Kites
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 23:50:46 -0000


Hi Listers in two counties...

I have recently been given a theory for the origin of my surname KIGHTLEY
and would like to see if anyone has any background information to either
support or dismiss the theory, which goes something like this...

Many years ago (& I assume possibly in the 14th/15th/16th century), a group
of men from the village of Ravenstone were employed to clear parts of what
was then a large Salcey Forest. The forest was apparently home to large
numbers of Red Kites, and somehow the men were referred to as the men from
the Kite leas (or clearings) after returning to their homes in
Ravenstone....hence the name KITELEE appeared in the village, which over
time changed eventually to KIGHTLEY.

Does anyone have or know of any information that might support the existence
of Red Kites in large numbers in Salcey Forest some 4-600 years ago? Were
Red Kites called Red Kites then? Would there have been small scale clearing
of forest areas then? Or am I barking up the wrong trees? (Ouch..what a
rotton pun!)

Cheers
Doug KIGHTLEY
Researching the KIGHTLEY surname anywhere in the UK
See my one-name database at <http://www.dkightley.fsnet.co.uk/>;


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