 The village has an entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is referred to as "Alrelie" meaning "Woodland clearing where alders grow" (from OE alor + lēah).It is recorded as being located in the hundred of "Grimboldestou" with a total population of 16 households (7 villagers, 5 smallholders, 4 slaves) whilst also boasting 2 lord's plough teams, 7 men's plough teams, 12 acres of meadows and 1 mill; in 1066 the Lord of the Estate was the Saxon thegn Wigot of Wallingford, whereas in 1086 it was the wealthy Norman landowner Miles Crispin.In a later 1309 document the village is referred to as "Alreleye", and in a 1345 document as "Alrely".