What Is The Meaning Of `hollow`in Hollow Lane?

[Sellergarth]

Near to where I live is a road named Hollow Lane. Although it`s a hill there is no obvious `hollow` as the road levels out at the bottom of the hill. Does the word `hollow` have any historical meaning other than the dictionary definition? Thanks.

[bookbinder]

This might be a start:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hollow

[Frank97]

Might have been a sunken lane which was filled in before the houses were built
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunken_lane

[Svejk]

maybe a corruption of 'hallow'?

[heathfield]

You could check out local libraries for old maps of the area to see if the name has changed over the years. Could it be a route, or part of a route, to a church or cemetery anywhere in the vicinity? That could tie in with Svejk's suggestion.

[Clanad]

In the mid-southern States here in the U.S. 'hollow', in the context of some geographic lotion, means a small valley between two hills or mountains. It's usually pronounced "holler". The significance, as far as your question is concerned, is that the original settlers of the area were Scots-Irish as well as a largish contingent of English and very noticeable dialects today are traceable, linguistically, to those influences..

[sandyRoe]

Holy?

[Mosaic]

Depending on where this is your local studies section or archives will have older maps showing the area, so you can see the lie of the land back to probably the mid-1700's. In addition it might figure on some local toff's estate papers, so it's worth the email to the history bods.
In more general terms, a hollow-way is a lane that formed through repeated traffic along unmetalled roads, while the boundaries of the adjacent fields continued to build up as hedgerows developed. If the area is built up now, the field boundaries and sunken lane could have been levelled as building took place. But as others have said, there are other possible sources for the 'hollow'.
While waiting you could also try www.old-maps.co.uk - search by postcode or location and scroll through the map options.

[Sellergarth]

Thank you one and all for your answers, brilliant response as usual.
Knowing the area quite well and after looking at some old photos of the lane in question, taken before it became a busy thoroughfare, it would appear the most likely answer is the one suggested by Frank97 and Mosaic. Thanks again everyone.