THORNLEY, a township in the parish of KELLOE, southern division of EASINGTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM, 6 miles (S. E. by E.) from Durham, containing 60 inhabitants. Thornley Hall, now a farmhouse, is supposed to occupy the site of a castle, which was strongly fortified in 1140, when Bishop Barbara and his adherents fled hither from William Comyn, who had usurped the see of Durham. Limestone is obtained in the neighbourhood.