The name may be derived from Waer (sheep) and ley (field), but the first element could be weardsetl (watchplace). If it is the latter, it was one of a chain of four such watchplaces along the northern boundary of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the Hwicce, along with Wast Hills in Alvechurch, Wassell Grove to the east of Wychbury Hill in Hagley, and Wassell Wood at the southern end of Shatterford Hill at Trimpley.