An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, W (1891)
by Friedrich Kluge, translated by John Francis Davis
Weiler
Friedrich Kluge2508682An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, W — Weiler1891John Francis Davis

Weiler, m., ‘village, hamlet,’ from MidHG. wîler, m., ‘small farm, hamlet.’ OHG. wîlâri occurs only as the second component in compound names of places (e.g., Brûwîlâri, equiv. to Brauweiler). MidLat. vîllâre, ‘farm’ (Fr. villier), was adopted in local names, just like Lat. villa (OHG. -wíla, e.g., in Rotwíla, equiv. to Rotweil); comp. Fr. ville, ‘town.’ The word seems to have been borrowed contemporaneously with Weiher.