Oldale Family History

Probably from Wooldale (WR Yorks) which is recorded as Wulvedale in 1307. The place-name derives from Old English wulf ‘wolf’ + Old English dæl or Old Scandinavian dalr ‘valley’. The local pronunciation of the place-name with loss of initial w- is given as [u:dl] in Place-Names of WR Yorks.

Occasionally from one or other of the many places in England named Old Hall such as Old Hall in Rayne (Essex) which is recorded as Old Halle in 1425–35 and probably derives from Middle English olde ‘old’ + halle ‘large residence hall’ (Old English ald hall).

Perhaps a variant of Oldnall.