Killicleave farm is one and a half kilometres south of Hele off the New Barnstaple Road, opposite the recycling station. Killicleave Woods are between Killicleave farm and Chambercombe.

The first references are Kellicleave, from a deed of 1734; and Kellecleave, from the Ordnance Survey map of 1809. The second element of the name, cleave, is a local Middle English variation of Old English clif, a steep hill slope. This no doubt relates to the very steep hillside between Killicleave and Chambercombe. The first element is probably from a Saxon personal name, perhaps 'Cylla'. Many other local place names are from Old English, often with a Saxon personal name as their first element, for example Berrynarbor (originally Hurtesburie), Ilfracombe, Campscott, Mullacot, Winsham and Warmscombe.

Kellicleave 1734 deed, v. clif. (Gover et al 1932 p 48)

Kellecleave is so-called on the first OS map of 1809; Killicleave on the Ilfracombe Tithe map 1839 (transcription Killicleave farm, owned by Rev St Vincent Bowen, held by John Bryant, The Hills Killicleave, pasture, held by John Reed); The 1841 Ilfracombe Census has John Bryant's, the Brooks & Nichols families at Killacleave; The 1851 Census called it Killycleave; Called Killicleave farm and Killicleave Wood on OS 1891map

"Kilbury Ho [Stanborough Hundred] is Killebiria t Hy 2 Oliver 135, -byry 13th Buckfast, -byre 1242 Fees 771, Kyllebery, Kilebyre 13th Buckfast, Kellebir' 1275 RH, Kilebury juxta Bokfasteneslegh 1314 Ass 'Cylla's burh'." (Gover et al 1932 Vol 2 p 294)

"Killatree is Kiletre 1242 Fees 775, Killetruwe 1249 Ass, -trewe 1303 FA, Kyletra 1330 SR, Keletre or Kylketre 1492 Ipm, Kelytre t Hy 8 FF 'Cylla's tree' " (Gover et al 1932 Vol 1 p 163)

One meaning of kell is an obsolete form of kiln (SOED 1987 p 1149) One meaning of kill is an obsolete form of kiln (SOED 1987 p 1153). There is no kiln or quarry marked here on the 1840 Tithe map or the OS 1891 map.

Cleve, cleeve from ME cleof, cleove, variation of clif founded on OE cleofu, cleofum (Occasionally erroneously cleave). Frequent in local names (SOED 1987 p 349)