_Olney._--Can any correspondent state what is the signification of this
name? The ancient spelling is _Olnei_ or _Olney_, not _Oulney_, as it has
sometimes been spelled of late years. The difficulty is not as to the
termination _ey_, but as to the first syllable.
The parish church, which stands at the southern extremity of the town, on
the banks of the Ouse, is entirely (modern alterations excepted) of the
fourteenth century. There is not a trace of any earlier work. Tradition
says that the church was formerly at the other, or northern end of the
town, where there is a place which is, as I am informed, described in the
deeds of some of the adjoining premises as the old churchyard, though it
has been desecrated time out of mind. Closely adjacent is a clear spring,
still called "Christenwell," and also the trunk of a very ancient elm.
Human bones are stated to have been occasionally dug up within the
enclosure.
There is a vague tradition that the town as well as the church has been
removed southward, _i. e._ nearer the river. Readers of "N. & Q." who can
supply any information respecting the removal of the church and town, or
any other particulars (in addition to those contained in Dr. Lipscomb's
_History of Bucks_) concerning the parish of Olney, including the hamlet
and manor of Warrington, and the now district parish of Weston-Underwood,
will greatly oblige