 In common with several nearby islands such as Jethou and Brecqhou , the name contains the Norman suffix " -hou " which means a small hill or a mound . The name could have developed from the Breton words lydd or ligg , which means in or near water . Historically , there have also been a number of alternative forms of the name including Lihoumel , which was attested as early as the twelfth century , and Lehowe , which was mentioned in the sixteenth century . 
