dale

This name derives from the Old English word “dæl”, which in turn derives from the Ancient Germanic “*dalą” (valley). It is also related to Old Norse word “dalr”, which may perhaps have influenced its survival in northern England. Dale is a synonym to the word valley, which entered the English language after the Norman Conquest. Norwegian towns frequently use this term: Dalekvam, dale. It is used most frequently in the Lowlands of Scotland and in the North of England, where the term "fell" commonly refers to the mountains or hills that flank the dale.