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WORCESTERSHIRE
PLACE NAMES
OXFORD : HORACE HART
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
WORCESTERSHIRE
PLACE NAMES
W. H. DUIGNAN
WALSALL
LONDON
HENRY FROWDE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AMEN CORNER, B.C.
NEW YORK : 91 & 93 FIFTH AVENUE
1905
[All rights reserved}
"'..-
PREFACE
IN adopting the title ' Worcestershire Place Names '
I refer only to those names which have a 'history.'
I include hamlets and farms which appear to be
ancient. Even fields could tell interesting stories ;
but their original names have generally been aban-
doned, or are so buried in the corruption of generations
of tenants that, without access to the owners' deeds,
it is rarely possible to construe them. Small places
are frequently found to be of great antiquity, and
many a name recorded in Domesday Book is con-
cealed under its modern title.
After the publication of my ' Staffordshire Place
Names' (1903) I was attracted to Worcestershire by
the very large number of Anglo-Saxon charters pre-
served in the archives of the bishops of Worcester
and the great monasteries of the county. The publica-
tions also of the Worcestershire Historical Society
were another attraction, as they supplied much
material.
Charters are of varying value ; originals may be
trusted ; but the far greater number have only come
down to us in post-conquest copies frequently made
by a scribe imperfectly acquainted with Anglo-Saxon,
and with a natural tendency to spell a name he
recognized as it was written or pronounced in his
day. Domesday Book is invaluable, but it is mainly
VI PREFACE TO
the work of Norman clerks upon the evidence of
Anglo-Saxon records or witnesses, and is consequently
impregnated with Norman French ; a twelfth-century
record is generally more reliable.
Nearly all English place-names have their root in
Anglo-Saxon ; the principal exceptions are rivers and
hills, which frequently maintain their earlier names
(especially large rivers), and then their construction is
almost hopeless. On the west side of Severn a few
names appear to be of Welsh origin (e. g. Malvern,
Mathon, Pendock, Pensax, &c.), and should therefore
be dealt with by a Welsh scholar.
Before commencing my work I was of opinion that
the Norsemen had left no permanent traces of their
invasions in Worcestershire ; but I now think it pretty
clear they made a settlement in the neighbourhood
of Clent and Hagley, probably on one of their raids
up Severn. The same thing happened in North
Staffordshire, where several place-names and words
are clearly of Danish origin.
The Anglo-Saxons appear to have been a homely
race, for their place-names have the simplest origins,
very different to the Welsh, Irish, and Scotch, whose
names largely savour of poetry, sentiment, and history.
The reader will not fail to notice the very large
number of place-names which have their root in
Anglo-Saxon personal names. All personal names, in
their inception, had meaning, and were Christian
names only, family names being extremely rare before
the thirteenth century. They had never more than
two stems, and were masculine and feminine as with us.
The prefix was common to both, but the suffix was
strictly masculine or feminine. The meaning of the
WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES Vll
stems, apart, is generally plain, but the combination
is frequently untranslatable, as certain stems were
common to a family, and one would be after a father,
another after a mother or other relation. Then
nicknames, short and pet names, were common, and
in the course of ages the spelling greatly varied,
having a tendency to shorten. It is, therefore, some-
times extremely difficult to ascertain the exact
personal name, and one has to be guided by recorded
forms, frequently meagre or conflicting. A modern
popular pronunciation is often of great assistance ; the
uneducated have been the preservers of Old English,
the educated its main corrupters. They knew Greek
and Latin, but until fifty or sixty years ago Old
English was a despised and neglected branch of
learning. For this reason the etymologies of old
writers have little value, and few of them had reliable
materials to work upon. The opinion of county,
and even national, historians before, say, 1840 are
entitled to little respect.
The Church, before the Dissolution, owned a large
portion of the county (the bishop alone about a third
of it), and appear to have been just and beneficent
landlords. Their tenants were evidently better off
than those of the laity, and their manors were more
populous. The bishop in his manors, in addition to
his ecclesiastical jurisdiction, had great powers in
civil and criminal matters, and appears to have ruled
with a kindly hand. The ideal government is govern-
ment by the wise and good, and government by the
clergy was government by the wisest and best men
the age produced. They softened the rigours of
feudal law ; they gave sanctuary to the politically
Vlll PREFACE TO
persecuted, and even to the criminal ; were enemies to
all tyranny and injustice, and opposed to serfdom.
A name compounded of two languages is excep-
tional, and requires cautious acceptance ; but such
combinations exist where a country has been occupied
by successive races. The Romans adopted native
names, clothing them in Latin garb, or adding native
terminals. The Anglo-Saxons unquestionably frater-
nized, more or less, with the people they dominated
or displaced, and naturally adopted many of their
names or stems. Norman-French had enormous
influence on Old English, and the changes which
took place in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries
must also, to some extent, have had their parallel in
Saxon days.
Though it is sometimes impossible to arrive at
the meaning of a place-name, yet a collection of its
earliest forms frequently enables us to correct false
constructions which have passed current, perhaps for
centuries, and led to false history. To learn that the
meaning is not what we have been taught is a step
toward truth.
The charters contain numerous references to tumuli,
or burial-mounds (A. S. hl<zw, v. Low). They were
commonly adopted, like streams, hoar-stones, or
notable trees, as territorial boundaries. They are
frequently termed ' heathen burial-places ' a pregnant
name for it has been assumed, I think on insufficient
grounds , that many of these mounds were ' constructed '
by the Anglo-Saxons. I believe they are entirely
the work of an earlier and heathen race. It is most
improbable that an A.-S. scribe would apply the
term 'heathen' to his own race, however applicable
WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES IX
it might have been at some remote period. He is
evidently referring to an earlier and extinct race,
' heathen ' as compared to his Christianity. We do
not know when Christianity was first introduced here,
but we do know that it is recognized in our very
earliest records as the common faith of the people
of the midland and southern parts of England. It
is possible that, for a short period, isolated families
of the Saxons should have remained pagan, or
adhered to old customs, and consequently may have
used (not constructed) these mounds as burial-places ;
but the practice would have been totally opposed
to Christian doctrine. The Romans buried their
dead as we do, and I treat all tumuli as pre-Roman
and pre-historic, confining myself to the southern
half of England ; for in the north Scandinavian influ-
ence was great, and has to be taken into account.
The inhabitants were probably not much troubled
by wolves, but the charters occasionally refer to them.
Wolf-pits (seathe] are mentioned as existing in
Bredicote and Broadwas, and a wolf hagan in
Longdon. Domesday Book records also a haia
in Kington, ' in which wild animals were captured.'
As late as 1167 the sheriff pays three shillings to
a hunter for destroying wolves in Feckenham Forest.
The price seems very moderate; but in 1233 tne
sheriff of Shropshire paid only fifty-seven shillings
to Richard of Myndtown for the heads of fifty-seven
Welshmen whom he caught marauding at Church
Stretton and Richard appears to have been content.
The recent Ordnance Surveys, i in., 6 in., and 25 in.,
are inferior to the original survey, and appear to have
been made by a lower class of surveyors. Old names
X PREFACE
are altered without reason, and ancient sites and
monuments unnoticed, whilst the 6 in. maps are dis-
figured with innumerable and useless notices of ' Old
Clay-pit ' marleria, as they are called in old deeds
pits from which marl had been taken to manure the
land in times when farmyard manure was scarce,
and artificial manure unknown. Many moated farm-
steads, which must have had ancient names, are only
marked ' Moat,' and cannot therefore be identified.
The reader will find it necessary to make himself
acquainted with the contractions, which follow the
Preface.
I have to express my thanks to Mr. W. H. Steven-
son, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, for
great assistance ; to the Rev. W. W. Skeat, Professor
of Anglo-Saxon and Fellow of Christ's College,
Cambridge, for invaluable information afforded through
his numerous works, and by ready and kind corre-
spondence ; and to the Editors of the publications
of the Worcestershire Historical Society, which have
been the main supply of Middle-English forms.
W. H. DUIGNAN.
WALSALL :
December, 1904.
PRINCIPAL CONTRACTIONS
A. F., Anglo-French.
A. S., Anglo-Saxon = Old English, Anglo-Saxons.
Bosworth- Toller, Bosworth-Toller's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary.
c,, century.
C. D., Kemble's Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici.
Cp., compare.
C. S., Birch's Chartularium Saxonicum.
D. , Domesday Book.
dot., dative.
E. D. D., Wright's English Dialect Dictionary.
E. P. N., Dictionary of English Plant Names, Britten and Holland.
f., farm.
G., Gaelic.
gen., genitive.
A., hamlet.
/Jab., Habington's Survey of Worcestershire (Worcestershire Historical
Society, 1895).
H. E. D., Historical, or New, English Dictionary.
Hem., Hemingi Chartularii Ecclesiae Wigorniensis.
/., Irish.
/. P. M., Inquisitiones Post Mortem.
L., Latin.
Lyt. Ch., Charters of the Lyttelton Family at Hagley (Jeayes).
m., miles.
M. E., Middle-English.
Nash, Nash's History of Worcestershire, 1799.
N. F., Norman-French.
obs., obsolete.
0. F., Old French.
0. M., Ordnance Map.
/. ., personal name.
//. ., place-name.
S. R., Subsidy Rolls.
Th. Ch., Thorpe's Diplomatarium Anglicum Aevi Saxonici.
WORCESTERSHIRE
PLACE NAMES
Abberley, 6 m. W. of Stourport. D. Edboldlege ; 12 c.
Albodesleye, Alboldesleye \ 1275 Albeddeye. A. S. p. n. Ead-
beald, Eadbald Eadbald's lea. V. Ley.
Abberton, 6 m. NE. of Pershore. 969 Eadbrihlincgtune,
C. S. 1242. D. Edbritone ; 1275 Edbriston, S. R.; 1538
Aburton. A. S. p. n. Eadbeorht, Eadbriht-ing-tun^Q town
of the descendants of Eadbriht. V. Ing and Ton. The ing
appears to have dropped out by D. Abberton in Essex (D.
Eadburgheturi) is Eadburg's town.
Abbots Lench, v. Lench (Abbots).
Abbots Morton, 5 m. SW. of Alcester. 708 Mortun,
C. S. 176; 714 Mortun, C. S. 130; D. Mortune; 1275
Morton ; it subsequently acquired the name of Abbots because
it belonged to the Abbey of Evesham for over eight hundred
years. The root is A. S. Mortun, Moor town (v. Moor and
Ton). The name is very common, D. recording over fifty
examples.
Abbots Wood, Abbots Wood Farm, in Kempsey. There
was a monastery in Kempsey, founded in 799 (C. S. 295),
which, within fifty years, was absorbed by the Bishops of
Worcester, who afterwards had a palace and park here.
These lands probably belonged to the Abbots and See. V.
Kempsey.
Acton, h., 3 m. N. of Ombersley. 1275 Ac/one, S. R.
A. S. Actun, Oak town (v. Ton). The A. S. long a usually
2 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
developed into oa, but before two consonants (not including
h, v, or / in all cases) it became <z; v. Skeat's Primer of
English Etymology, Clarendon Press, p. 25.
Acton Beauchamp, 4 m. SE. of Bromyard. 718 Aaciune,
C. S. 146; 969 Actune, C. S. 1242 ; 972 Actune, C. S. 1281 ;
D. Actune. The Beauchamps were its early Norman lords.
Where names were common it became customary, in the
twelfth and thirteenth centuries, to add the family name of
manorial lords for the purpose of identity.
Aggberrow Wood, in Bushley. 1275 Aclerge (2), S. R.
A. S. (at) dc beorg Oak hill.
Aggborough, h., i m. S. of Kidderminster. 1275 Akberewe,
Agberrow, S. R. ; 1340 Aglerwe. A. S. (eel) dc beorg
Oak hill.
Alcott Farm, in Alvechurch. 1275 Alecote, S. R. s. Alve-
church. The terminal is plainly A. S. cot, cote, cottage ; the
prefix probably represents a p. n., but is too fragmentary to
deal with.
Alderminster, 4 m. SE. of Stratford-on-Avon. D. Sture
1275 Aldremoneston, Aldremeston, S. R. Alderminster lies
on the river Stour, and its present name is apparently post-D.
I have no doubt that the forms should be read Ealdormannes-
tun, Alderman's town (v. Ton). Ealdorman means a person
of high rank. D. says : ' There (in Sture) one Knight holds
two hides and two radmans ' (a remarkable entry). The
residence of this Knight probably led to the change of name.
Aldermaston, in Berkshire, appears in D. as ^Eldermane stone,
which confirms the construction.
Aldington, h., in Badsey (2 m. E. of). 709 Aldintone,
C. S. 183; 9 c. Aldantune, C. S. 364; D. Aldintone \ 1275
Aldington, S. R. The prefix probably represents the A. S.
p. n. Ealda (frequently written Alda), the gen. form of which
would be Aldan, as in the second form. These gen. terminals
frequently become ing (q.v.). This is therefore Ealda's town
(v. Ton). Eald (old) forms the prefix to a large number of
ACTON BEAUCHAMP ALSTON 3
A. S. p. n., and, as our forefathers used short or pet names
as freely as we do now, many places owe their nomenclature
to abbreviated or familiar forms, so that the name here may
have been Ealdhun, Ealdred, Ealdfrith, &c. Aldington in
Kent was Eadulfingtune (rightly Ealdwulfingtune), Eald-
wulfs town, in 996 (C. D. 716), yet is recorded in D. as
Aldintone.
Alfric, h., in Suckley, 8 m. W. of Worcester. Nash says,
'anciently Alferwyke, and Alfredeswic'. Accepting those
forms, the meaning of the name is Alfred's village (v. Wich) ;
the -ic represents an original -uric.
Allsborough Hill, \ m. W. of Pershore. 709 Ellesbeorh,
C. D. 1368; 709 Hallesborge, C. S. 12-5; c. 1610 Ayles-
borough, Alesborough, Hab. ii. 247. The terminal is A. S.
beorh, dat. beorge, a hill, which frequently becomes ' borough '
(v. Bury). Professor Skeat writes : ' The charter of 709 is
spurious, with mere late Norman forms. I think the forms
Elks- and Halles- are both right in their way, being A. F.
forms of A. S. ^Elles, gen. of ^Elli= Dili's hill.'
Alretune, D. ; 1023 Ealretune, C. D. 738. This is a D.
manor in Doddingtree Hundred, held by Gislebert fitz Turold,
which I have been unable to identify. The name is probably
obsolete ; or, if preserved, its modern form I should expect
to be Allerton, from A. S. aler, alder, and Ion.
Alston, h., in Little Washbourn, 6 m. E. of Tewkesbury.
1050 dllfsigestun, C. D. 805; 1275 Alsostone, Als/one, S. R.
This h. belonged to the monastery of Bredon, and was
appurtenant to that manor. This is an illustration of the ten-
dency to shorten. ' The popular pronunciation of dElfsigesiiin
would be Al'syston (g =,y); they was not sounded between
/ and s, as a rule ; when three consonants come together the
middle one goes ; no one pronounces the / in castle.' (Skeat.)
Alvestone, near Stratford-on-Avon, was also sElfsigestun (C. S.
I2 33)j but Alstone, in Staffordshire, was sElfweardestun;
Alstone, in Gloucestershire, is recorded in D. as Aluredestone,
B 2
4 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Alfred's town, and Alston (Sutton) in Somersetshire appears as
Alnodestune, Alnod's town (Alnod being the L. form of
jlfnotti). Hence there is no etymology without history,
and modern forms alone yield poor material for con-
struction.
Alton, h., in Rock. D. Alvintune; c. 1108 Alcrintone;
1275 Alvynton, S. R. I think the D. form the most reliable,
and it is supported by the third. The cr in the second form
cannot be reconciled with the vi and vy of the others, and is
perhaps a mistake of the scribe, or transcriber. The A. S.
having no v that letter must be read f. I think Alvin-,
Ahyn- represents the A. S. p. n. Ail/wine, which frequently
appears as A twin, Alwine, and would easily pass into
Alvin. I construe Alton as Al win's (earlier ^Elfwine's) town ;
v. Ton.
Alve, r., tributary of the Arrow (Cassell's Gazetteer, s. Arrow),
passes by Alvechurch. Rivers sometimes give names to
places on their course, and sometimes derive them. Here
the name has taken the corrupt modern form (v. Alvechurch),
omitting the terminal. The Penk river, in Staffordshire,
similarly takes its name from Penkridge. I have met with
no evidence of the antiquity of this name, and suspect it to
be a modern invention.
Alvechurch, 4 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 780 ^Elfgythe
cyrce ; D. Alvievecharche ; 1 108 dS-lfithe cyrce ; 1 2 c. Alvielhe-
church ; 1323 Alveythchurch. ^.Ifgyth was a fern. A. S. p. n.,
and cyrce is our modern ' church,' so pronounced. The
church is dedicated to St. Lawrence; perhaps ^Elfgyth
founded it. The g in her name was sounded like y, and
merged with the following vowel according to rule. The
modern pronunciation is ' Allchurch.'
Ankardine Hill, in Knightwick, 6 m. W. of Bromyard.
1275 Oncredham, S. R. ; 1327 Oncredam, S. R. ; 13 and 14 c.
(frequently) Ancredam, Ancredham; 1645 Ankerden. I
think the prefix is A. S. ancra, ancer, M. E. ancre, oncre,
ALTON ARLEY KINGS 5
a hermit, anchorite (male or female). It is a likely place for
a hermitage, but there is no record of one. The d in most
of the forms is puzzling. Without it we might construe the
name ' the hermit's home' (v . Ham). Professor Skeat suggests
an original Ancran-denu the hermit's valley (whence Anker-
den and Ankardine], and that Ancre-dam was a popular error
for Ancre-den. It will be observed that ' hill ' is a modern
addition. There is a great hill here, with deep valleys at
foot. The river Anker, in Warwickshire, had three nunneries
on its course; Ankerwyke, near Staines, takes its name from
a Benedictine nunnery founded there in the 1 2 c.
Apes Dale, h., in Bromsgrove. 1552 Apedale. Ape is
probably the A. S. p. n. Apa mas., Ape fern., in which case
the original form would be Apandale Ape's dale. Apa is
A. S. for an ape (monkey is quite a modern word), and it is
curious that such an uncomplimentary name should be
adopted; but nicknames are ancient and adhesive. With
such a late form no ' positive ' conclusion can be arrived at.
Apostles Oak, in or near Abberley. One of several
oaks under which St. Augustine and the clergy are said to
have held a Synod in 603. It is, however, clear that if the
account we have of this conference is to be trusted, it took
place on the confines of the Hwiccian and West Saxon
kingdoms, viz. a little south of Bath.
Arley Kings, i m. S. of Stourport. D. Arleia; c. 1108
Arleia; 12 c. Ernleie (Layamon's Poems). Upper Arley,
7 m. N., \vas in 994 Earnleie (Arnley), and that form may be
safely accepted here. Earn in A. S. means an eagle, but
it was also a common p. n. ' The construction here is " Eagle
lea " ; if Earn- represented a p. n. the original form must
have been Earnes-leah' (Skeat.) Arly took the name of
Kings because in mediaeval times it belonged to the Crown,
having twice escheated. The poet Layamon lived and is
buried here. His tombstone was discovered on the rebuild-
ing of the church, c. 1880.
6 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Armscott, h., in Tredington, near Shipston-on-Stour.
13 c. Edmundescote ; 1275 Edmundescote, S. R. ; 14 c.
Admiscote\ 1327 Edmundescote, S. R. A. S. p. n. Eadmund,
and cot, a cottage Eadmund's cot. The change from
Eadmundes- to Arms- is a strong example, but not to be
doubted.
Arrow, r., rises in the Lickey hills, and flows into Avon.
There are two rivers 'Arrow' in Ireland, only this one in
England, none in Scotland. I do not think the name has
any connexion with our word ' Arrow.' I incline to think
(the name being found in Ireland) it is a Celtic word, but
I can find nothing resembling it in Irish.
Ashborough, h., i m. NE. of Bromsgrove. D. Asseberga',
1275 Esseberowe, S. R. ; 1327 Assheberwe, S. R. The prefixes
represent A. S. cesc (ash) ; M. E. asch, esche, esse, asse, an ash
(tree). The D. form is here the most reliable, and yields us
* the hill of the ash ' (trees), D. frequently recording asse for
' ash,' and berga being only the latinized form of beorge, a
hill (v. Bury). The D. berewick Asseberga has not been
hitherto identified, but I am satisfied of its identity with
Ashborough.
Ashley (perhaps obsolete). There is a manor of Escelie
recorded in D. as in Came Hundred, the property of
William fitz Ansculf, which has not been identified. Mr.
J. H. Round (Hist, of Worcestershire, 315) thinks it may be
represented by Selly (q. v.), but that is not possible, though
Escelie was not far from Kingsnorion. D. makes the follow-
ing curious note on this manor (translated) : ' Wulfwine held
it. The same Wulfwine bought this manor from the Bishop
of Chester, for three lives. When he was ill, and had come
to the end of his life, he called to him his son, Bishop Li (?),
his wife, and several of his friends, and said, " Hearken ye,
my friends. I desire tl\at my wife hold this land, which I
bought from the church, so long as she lives ; and after her
death let the church from which I received it receive it back ;
ARMSCOTT ASTON MAGNA ^
and let him who takes it from the church be excommuni-
cate. That this was so is testified by the chief men of
the whole county." ' Escelie would become Ashley, and the
name may yet linger in some farm or field; but I have
met with no record of it since D., nor does it appear on
any map.
Ashridge, in Hartlebury (perhaps obsolete). 1275 Es-
rugge, S. R. ; 1340 Assherugg. The modern form is quite
correct. In A. F. esse represents 'ash,' and M. E. rugge,
'ridge.'
Assarts Common, in Welland (a number of small allot-
ments). Assart is an O. F. word adopted into our legal
language to describe a new enclosure from the waste or
forest. This is the only instance where I have met with it in
common parlance, or as a place name. It lies within the
limits of Malvern Chase.
Astley, 3^ m. S. of Stourport. D. Eslei\ 12 c. sEstlege;
13 c. Estley, As/k, Eslele; 140. Astley. These forms give us
'Eastley ' (v. Ley). It appears from the S. R. of 1275 that
there was a small monastery here, ' the monks of Estle ' being
assessed at two and a half marks.
Aston Fields, i m. S. of Bromsgrove. 767 Eastun, iuxta
fluvium qui dicitur Salwarpe, C. S. 202 ; Eastun, C. S. 203 ;
794 Austan, C. S. 269 ; D. Estone', A. S. East tun, East
town (v. Ton).
Aston Magna, h., in Blockley, 3 m. NW. of Moreton Hen-
marsh. 1275 Estone> S. R.; 1375 Hanging Aston. Eastune
is mentioned in an A. S. charter of 977, C. D. 616, and D.
records an Eston in Oswaldslow Hundred. Both these places
were then the property of the Bishop of Worcester, as this
manor also was. There are no means of identifying these
records with this Aston, but they probably relate to it. The
meaning is clearly ' East town ' (v. Ton). I have met with
only one Aston which could bear any other construction. In
that case the original form was ^Esctun, Ash town. D.
8 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
records sixty-four manors under Estone, which, as far as I
have traced them, are now Aston, or Easton. Button, Norton,
Weston are similarly South-, North-, West- (town). Its
mediaeval name of ' Hanging ' Aston probably refers to its
situation on a hillside (v. Hanger).
Aston (White Ladies), 3! m. NW. of Pershore. 904
Eastune, C. S. 609 ; D. Eston East town (v. Aston Magna).
The manor, from remote times, belonged to the church at
Worcester. In Henry Ill's time the bishop granted it to
the Benedictine nuns of Whiston, in Claines (called ' White
Ladies ' from the white habit they wore). They held it till
the suppression of the Monasteries (1545)-
Astwood, h., in Claines, \\ m. NE. of Worcester. No
forms. Doubtless M. E. Astwode East wood.
Astwood, in Wichbold, 2\ m. NE. of Droitwich. 12 c.
Eslwood; 13 c. Asiwode; 17 c. Eslwode= Eastwood (v. Ast-
wood Bank, post).
Astwood Bank, h., 3 m. S. of Redditch. 1242 Estwode,
A. S. East-, Est-, M. E. Ast-wode = East wood, probably from
its lying on the eastern extremity of Feckenham Forest. It
lies also on the Ridgeway, which here forms the boundary
between Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
Atchen Hill, 2 m. NW. of Worcester. 963 ALtinc weg (3),
C. S. 1 106, 1107; 970 ALtlinge garstun, C. S. 1 139. ' The
forms represent the recorded p. n. sEtting = son of ^Etti ;
weg, -way, gar stun, meadow ^Etting's way, ^Etting's meadow.
The right form must have been ^Etiinga weg = way of the
sons of ^Etti ; if in the singular the gen. es would not have
been lost.' (Skeat.)
Atch Lench, v. Lench (Atch).
Atherstone-super-Stour, 3 m. SE. of Stratford-on-Avon.
D. Edricestone ; 1227 Aderichestan, Adrichestone. The forms
yield the A. S. p. n. Eadric, and stan, stone Eadric's stone
(v. Hoarstone). Atherstone, in Warwickshire (D. Aderestone),
is Eadred's town ; and Atherstone, in Somerset, ^Ethelheard's
ASTON AVON g
town. Modern forms aid little in construction, but sometimes
they help.
Atterburn, r., a tributary of Salwarp, 4 m. N. of Wor-
cester. 1038 Oier burne, Earle's Charters, 239. A.S.o/er,
an otter, and burn, a brook the brook of the otter.
Aust Cliff, h., and farms in Wolverley. 1275 Alslanclive,
Alstanesdive, S. R. A. S. p. n. Ealhstan, and dif Ealhstan's
cliff. The word dif was frequently applied to mere hills, or
rising ground. Close to Aust Cliff is Clee Hall, dee being
the dat. form of dif. The O. M. of 1832 marks this ' Horse
Cliff,' an example of ' interpretative corruption.'
Austen (probably obsolete), on or near Severn N. of Wor-
cester. 691 Austin, C. S. 75; 794 Ausian, C. S. 269 (grants
to the Bishop of Worcester). This place is not mentioned
in any existing subsequent record or map. The charter
of 691 relates also to Hanbury. Austen is not an A. S.
word.
Avon, river. There are ten distinct rivers ' Avon ' in
England, Wales, and Scotland. The name is commonly
found in our earliest records as Afen, Afene, A/on, and
occasionally Hafene and Abon. It is not an A. S. word,
but Old Celtic abona, W. a/on, avon, I. abhain, G. abhuinn
(bh = v), and means simply ' river.' In Ireland there are
several streams commencing ' Avon- ' and Owen' (a variant
form), with suffixes, e.g. Avonmore, Avonbeg, Owenass, Owen-
bristy, &c. Mr. Henry Bradley (English Miscellany, 15) says,
' It is certain that all the rivers now called Avon must have
had proper names. There is evidence enough to show that
the ancient Britons were in the habit of giving individual
names to quite insignificant streams.' If all the ten Avons
in Britain once had a distinctive suffix, it is remarkable that
not one of them should have survived to our time ; but Mr.
Bradley heads his article ' A bunch of guesses.' He suggests
further that the British name of Warwick was Caer- Wrangon,
and that Wrangon was the name of the Warwickshire and
10 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Worcestershire Avon (there is a river ' Afon-Wrangon ' in
South Wales, 2 m. SW. of Herwain). Gp. Rea.
Axborough Farm, Axborough Wood, Axborough
Lane, in Wolverley. Without forms one can only guess.
The terminal is probably a form of Bury or Barrow.
Professor Skeat suggests that the prefix represents the p. n.
^Ecci, gen. ^Ecces = ^Ecces-bury, or barrow (q. v.).
Bach, Batch, a common terminal in Shropshire and Wor-
cestershire, and an occasional prefix. It is A.S. bcece (bacti),
M. E. bache, ' a bottom,' i. e. a valley, or hollow, with a stream
through it. It is not admitted into A. S. dictionaries (though
Sweet (1897) gives bgce brook), and, in spite of its obvious
meaning as used in the charters, is translated ' beech tree ' (also
bcece). Layamon, who lived at Arley Kings, and wrote his A. S.
poems about the year 1200, uses the words beech, bache, bceche,
pi. b&chen, in the sense of ' valley.' His editor and translator,
Sir Frederick Madden, says, ' It (bache) is not inserted in
A.S. dictionaries, yet it ought to be.' The Worcestershire
S. R. of 1275 and 1327 contain many entries in connexion
with personal names, such as de la Bache, aite Bach,
la Bache. The H. E. D. is the first authority to recognize
the word, and translates it ' the vale of a stream or rivulet.'
Badge Court, f., 5 m. W. of Bromsgrove, ' where an Earl
of Shrewsbury resided many years, belonged formerly to the
Winters, and is a very large pile of building ' (Nash, i. 346).
1275 Bache, 1325 Bachecote, 1327 Bachecote (2), S. R. ;
1340 Bachecot; 15 c. Bachecote. This is A. S. bcece (ce = ck),
M. E. bache, and A. S. cot the cottage in the valley, or
hollow. V. Bach.
Badsey, 2 m. E. of Evesham. 709 Baddeseia, C. S. 125 ;
714 Baddesege, C. S. 130; 860 Baddesig, C. D. 396; D.
Bad&sei. Always belonged to the Abbey of Evesham. A. S.
p. n. Badd, gen. Baddes, and t'g, island Badd's island. The
ancient meaning of island (igland) was water-land, not land
AXBOROUGH BANBURY STONE II
entirely surrounded by water. Badeswelle is mentioned in
the charter of 709.
Baldenhall (probably obsolete), an unrecognized Domes-
day berewick of Hanley Castle, which, at the time of
Domesday, belonged to the Crown, and was within the bounds
of Malvern Forest. D. B 'aide 'hale ; 1275 Baldehale, S. R. ;
1300 Baddenhale, 1327 Baldenhale, S. R. ; 1332 Baden-
hale ; 1 4 c. Baldenhale, Baldonhale. It would seem to have
been situate in or near Madresfield, to have been a ' manor,'
and the property of the Abbey of Great Malvern, to whom,
inter alia, it was given by Henry VII. Bealda, later Balda
(from the adjective beald, ' bold '), gen. Bealdan, later
Balden, was an A. S. p. n., and the meaning is ' the hall
of Balda.' The family name 'Balden' doubtless had its
origin hence.
Ball Mill, Holt, 7 m. N. of Worcester, on a stream, now
called 'Grimley Brook,' but anciently ' Bsele.' 851 Bale,
C. S. 462; 962 Bale, C. S. 1086; 1042 Bale, C. D. 765.
A. S. bal means a funeral pile, a fireplace, a hearth. It is
difficult to apply accurately any of these meanings to a
stream, but a furnace on its course might give rise to the
name. Iron was certainly smelted at Worcester in Roman
or Saxon times.
Banbury Stone, on the summit of Bredon Hill. 778,
' In cuius cacumine urbs est antiquo nomine Banintesburg'
(on the summit of which is a city of the ancient name of
Baenintesburg), C. S. 232. The terminal bury is from the
dative of A. S. burg, later burh, a walled town, city, &c.
(v. Bury). Bcenint, followed by the gen. es, is doubtless a
p. n., but I can find nothing like it in A. S. ; it may be
Celtic. There never could have been a ' town ' on the top
of Bredon Hill ; it must have been a fort, only occupied in
time of war or invasion. The entrenchments are plain, though
much defaced. The name has passed through some vicissi-
tudes. Within the last two hundred years it has been called
12 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
' Bramsbury/ ' Bemsbury,' ' Bunbury,' ' Bambury/ and finally
' Banbury ' Stone, the Ordnance Map having adopted the latter
name. The popular tendency to change a word, or name, to
something commonly understood is very strong. The 'stone' is
a natural rock, the result of denudation. It marks the boundary
of the counties of Worcester and Gloucester. Professor
Skeat adds : ' Banintes is a misprint for B&ninces, by-form
of Baeninges, Baening, or Baning = son of Bana. The
Baningas, or " sons of Bana," are mentioned in the A. S.
poem of The Wanderer. Burh frequently means " fort ".'
Bangham Pit Farm, in Frankley. A family of 'de
Byngeham' lived in Frankley, and witnessed deeds in the
14 and 15 c. ' Byngehamslond ' is also mentioned in Frank-
ley 15 c. charters (Lyt. Ch.).
Bannutt Tree Farm, in Chaseley, 4 m. W. of Upton-on-
Severn ; Bannutt Tree House, Castle Morton ; Bannutt
Hill, Kempsey; Bannutt Tree, 3^ m. NW. of Bewdley.
Bannutt is a Midland dialectic word (origin unknown) for
the walnut-tree and its fruit. Professor Skeat adds : ' Literally
" bone-nut," or nut with bone-like shell. A. S. *bdnnut must
become bannut.'
Bant Farm, in Suckley, on the boundary of Herefordshire
and Worcestershire. 1806 The Bante. This is an old name,
but I can make nothing of it.
Barbourn, h., i m. N. of Worcester. 904 Beferburn,
C. S. 608. Nash says, ' takes its name from a brook anciently
Beferburn, later Beverbourn, here running into Severn.'
A. S. be/or, beofor, beaver, and burn, brook, stream = the
beaver stream. It is well settled that beavers formerly
inhabited England; but they had been exterminated in
Worcestershire long before the Conquest (v. Bevere, Bever-
bourn, and cp. Beverley in Yorkshire).
Bare Moor, now a colliery, i m. NE. of Cradley. 1274
Bare/en, 1275 Bareffen, S. R.; c. 1309 Bere/en, Bare/en,
Bares/en, Lyt. Ch. A. S. barfenn, bare fen (bare of herbage,
BANGH AM BARROW 13
bush, or timber). Fen and moor have little difference in
meaning.
Barnard's Green, h., in Great Malvern. 1275 Richard
Bernard is assessed to the S. R. under Hanley Castle, which
then included Malvern. I think it probable that he, or his
family, gave name to the locality ; er in M. E. was pronounced
ar. Bernard is a late form of the A. S. p. n. Beornheard.
Barueshall, h., i m. S. of Worcester. 1327 Neweberne,
S. R. ; Neweberne, Bernes, now Barnshall, Nash, ii. 327;
belonged to the Priory of Worcester. Bern is a M. E. form
of ' barn ' (A. S. bcerri), the er being pronounced ar.
Barnhall, f., i m. S. of Ombersley. This I take to be
Bernes ende, referred to in a charter relating to Hallow, a. 816,
C. S. 356. A. S. bern, pronounced and meaning 'barn'=
the place of the barn (v. End). This is a very early instance
of the use of the word ' end ' in the sense of place, locality.
In the S. R. for 1275, s. Ombersley, Bernewelle is mentioned
three times ; it is perhaps the root of ' Barn^z//.'
Barnsley Hall, ancient estate in Bromsgrove. 1275
Barndeleye, S. R. 1327 Barndele (2), S. R. ; 1332 Barnde-
leye, S. R. ; 14 c. Brandeley, Barndesley. Hab. writes, 'thys
seate of auncient gentry.' ' The forms are late ; they probably
represent an original Brandes-leah, the lea of Brandy common
A. S. name, and common still.' (Skeat.)
Barnt Green, h., 2 m. NW. of Alvechurch. 170. Barn
and Barne Green (3); 1746 Burnt Green. I think the
evidence is in favour of this being 'Barn Green,' the ex-
crescent / being in accord with phonetic changes ; otherwise
it must be construed ' Burnt Green.' Barnt was a M. E. form
of ' burnt.'
Barrow, in various forms, is a common terminal ; its root
is A. S. beorg, beorh, M. E. beoruh, berghe, berwe, berewe,
meaning, (a) a hill or hillock, (b) a burial mound, tumulus,
low. Great care is needful to distinguish the forms from
A. S. burh, M. E. burgh, borowe, &c. (v. Bury).
14 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Barrow, Berrow Upper Berrow, Lower Borrow,
i\ m. NW. of Feckenham; Barrow Hill, Berrow Hill,
in Hartley; Barrow Hill, in Chaddesley Corbett; Upper
Barrow and Lower Barrow Farms in Suckley. 1275
Barew. Berewe is the common form for these places in the
S. Rolls of 1275 and 1327. V. Barrow, ante.
Barrow Cop, an eminence in Perdiswell. Prehistoric
ornaments have been found here, but no ' barrow ' remains.
A. S. copp, M. E. cop, means a head, summit. Barrow Cop
means a hill with a tumulus on its summit. V. Barrow.
Barton Farm, in Alderminster, is I think the only example
of 'Barton' I have met with in Worcestershire. It is very
common in the S. of England, and is A. S. bere-tun, a farm-
stead, rickyard, granary.
Bast on Hall, in Suckley. 1275 Bastenhale, S. R. ; 1327
Baslenhale, S. R. ; 1332 Bastendale, S. R. The terminal
may be read ' hall ' or ' meadow ' (v. Hale), but I can make
nothing of ' Basten.' Baston in Lincolnshire was Baston long
before the Conquest, and Bastwick in Norfolk was Basiwic ;
it probably represents an unrecorded p. n. Baston may
represent ' the town of Bassa.'
Bastonford, h., in Powick. 1275 Berstanesford, S. R.
A. S. p. n. Beornstan, and ford (q. v.) Beornstan's ford.
Cp. Basten Hall, ante,
Battenhall, h., i \ m. SE. of Worcester. 969 Batanhagan,
Baten hale, C. S. 1240; 1275 Bathenhale, S. R. ; was the
park of the Prior of Worcester. Bata, Bate, was a p. n.,
though rare, and I think it must be represented here, the n
forming the gen. The first terminal haga means ' a place
fenced in ' ; hale in the other forms I construe ' hall ' (v. Hale).
Battlefield Farm, Battlefield Brook, i m. NW. of
Bromsgrove, on the road to Kidderminster. Tradition says
the ; re was a small engagement here, about the time of the
battle of Worcester.
Baynhall, in Kempsey. 1275 Beynhale, S. R. ; 1469
BARROW BE 'A NH ALL MILL 15
Beneshall. Nash, ii. 18, says: 'William de Beauchamp
held half a hyde (here commonly called Beam, because the
whole neighbourhood, at the request of the steward, . . . were
obliged to till the ground). This land Bishop Simon (12 c.)
gave to Simon, son of William de Beauchamp, whom he
baptized.' This is evidently an extract, but Nash omits any
reference to its source. There is no apparent connexion
between Beam- and Bayn-, Baynhall probably represents
an A. S. Beagan-hale (g-=y) Beaga's meadow land ; Beaga
BcKga. V. Beanhall Mill, /to/.
Baynhall Farm, in Abberton ; Beanhall, in Newnham,
4 m. NW. of Tenbury ; Beanhall, i \ m. NW. of Lindridge ;
Beanhall, in Bayton, 3 m. NE. of Tenbury. No forms, and
without them it is impossible to construe these names ; but v.
Baynhall, ante, and Beanhall Mill,/w/.
Bayton, 6 m. W. of Bewdley. D. Betune ; 1 2 c. Bertone ;
1275 Beyton, S. R.; 1339 Baynlon. All the forms are corrupt,
but I think they represent an original A. S. Bagantun, Baega's
town (v. Ton). JBcega was a p. n., and the g being sounded y
would produce a later Baynton, and final Bayton ; cp. Baywell.
Baywell (fields), Baywell Wood, Baywell Brook,
Upper, Lower, and Middle Baywell, in Daylesford. In
718 ^Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, grants to the servant of
God named Baegia (g=-y) lands at Dtzglesford (Daylesford) for
the purposes of a monastery there, C. S. 139: Baganwellan
(Baega's spring) is mentioned in the charter; 10 c. Beagan-
byrig, C. S. 1320 ; 949 Beaganwille, C. D. 882 ; Baganwelle,
C. D. 623; ii c. Beiwelle, Hem. 642. Baywell clearly
represents Baega's well (spring).
Beanhall Mill, i m. S. of Feckenham ; Beanhall Farm
(Upper, Middle, and Lower), i \ m. SW. of Feckenham. 836
(Btfelda ten hida on Beansetum (at (the) field [=open country]
ten hides in (or amongst) the Beansete [name of people]),
C. S. 416. The prefix here is A. S. bean, ' bean.' Beansetum
means ' bean-folk, settlers ' ; probably people living in a
16 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
locality which had acquired the name of Beanheale Bean
field (v. Hale). Cp. Barton-in-the-Beans, Leicestershire.
Beauchamp Court, in Powick. D. Bello Campo \ 12 c.
Bella Campo. In L. deeds this name appears in L. garb.
The place takes its name from the Beauchamp family, who
came over with the Conqueror. D. records Hugh de
Belcamp as tenant in capite of seventy-five manors. The
meaning of the p. n. in L. and O. F. is ' fine field ' (v. Field).
Bedwardine (St. John's and St. Michael's), Worcester.
1327 Bedewardyn. Nash, ii. 308, says, 'because it was
allotted to supply the table of the monks of Worcester with
provisions.' It is A. S. beod-worthyn, the table farm ; v. Worth.
Bead-land is another term for land so appropriated.
Bellbroughton, 5 m. E. of Kidderminster. 817 Belne,
et Brocton, C. S. 360; D. Bellem, Brotune; 12 c. Belne,
Beolne; 1275 Belne- Bruyn, Belne- Simonis, Brocton, S. R. ;
14 c. Belne-Brocion, Belnebroiton, Brotune, Brotton, Brians
Bell, Bellenbrokton. Belne is not an A. S. word, and I see
no reason to think it has any connexion with A. S. belle,
a bell. It may be Celtic, or a river name, but I can make
nothing of it. Broughton is A. S. broc-tun, brook town. All
Broughtons have the same root, the change in form arising
from broc being sounded like loch, lough. Brian's or Bruyn's
Bell, or Belne-Simonis, arises from Simon le Bruyn owning
the place, or being the principal inhabitant; he was living
there in 1275, S. R.
Bell Hall, in Bellbroughton (q. v.).
Bellington, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. D. Belintones,
'^Elfric and Holand held it as two manors; it was and is
waste; the woodland is in the king's forest'; 1275 Belinton,
S. R. The forms, I think, represent an A. S. Billingatun
' the town of the sons, or descendants, of Bill,' a known p. n.,
as also was Billing.
Bells Farm, in Kingsnorton (i m. E. of), takes its name
from a family of Belne, alias Bell, who possessed the estate
BEAUCHAMP COURT BEOLEY. 17
in the 13 c. The Bells came from Bellbroughton (q.v.).
The farm was previously called Blackgrove, and belonged to
Richard Bares, who, being in prison at Feckenham for theft,
escaped and thereby forfeited his lands to the king (Henry III),
who thereupon granted them to William, son of Hugh de
Belne (Hab. ii. 218).
Beneslei, an unrecognized D. manor, in Came Hundred,
held by Urse d'Abitot. V. Bentley Pauncefote.
Bengeworth, Evesham. 709 Benigwrthia, C. S. 125;
714 Bemncgwrihe, Benincguurihe, C. S. 130; 780 Beninc-
wyrthe, 235 C. S. ; 907 Benningcwyrd, Bennincweord,
Benningtwyrth, C. S. 616 ; 979 Bynnyncgwyrthe, C. D. 625 ;
D. Benningeorde , Bennicworte. ' The A. S. p. n. Benning
= ffemta+ing son of Benna. This is " the farm or estate
of Benning," or " son of Benna." ' (Skeat.) Cp. Bengeo,
in Herts, anciently Bem'ngeho, and v. Worth.
Bentley, h., i m. W. of Holt. 962 Beonetlaage, C. S.
1087; 1017 Beonetleah, C. D. 1313; 1042 Beonetleag, C. D.
765. The prefix is A. S. beonet, M. E. bent, lennet, coarse
stiff grass, of a reedy or rush-like character. In M. E.
' the bent ' is commonly used to describe a tract of country
unenclosed and producing mainly coarse grass and heath.
The same meaning probably attached to the A. S. form, and
to its use in pi. names rather than to mere herbage. There
are many Bentleys in England, and all appear to have the
same root. For the terminal, v. Ley.
Bentley Pauncefote, h., in Tardebigg (3 m. S. of). 1327
Bentelegh ; 1429 Bentelegh. It is said this place is recorded in
D. as Beneslet '(q.v.), but it is a far cry from Beneslei to Bentley,
and the change should not be accepted without evidence. For
the meaning, v. Bentley, ante. The Pauncefote family owned
the manor in the 13 and 14 centuries.
Beoley, 2 m. NE. of Redditch. 972 Beoleahe, C. S.
1281 ; D. Beolege-, 1327 Bdeye, S. R. A. S. beo, a bee the
Bee lea (v. Ley). The production of honey was very
c
l8 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
important. The farmers' rents were often partially paid in
it; it was in great demand, and dear, being the people's
only sugar, and largely used in the production of mead ; the
wax also was in demand for the lord's house, and for divine
service.
Berchelai, an unrecognized D. berewick of the manor of
Escelie (Ashley), (also unrecognized), in Came Hundred, held
by William Fitz Ansculf. It ought now to be Barkley, but may
be Birchley. Mr. J. W. Round (Hist, of Worcestershire, {.315)
suggests it is ' Bartley Green,' but I cannot find such a place.
Berrington, h., in Tenbury (2 m. W. of). D. Berilune;
1275 Beriton, S. R. D. frequently uses -i- for -ing-, probably
an abbreviation. The original form may have been Baringa-
tun, the town of the descendants of Bara ; v. Ton.
Berrow, 8 m. W. of Tewkesbury. 1 2 c. Berga (latinized
form), Berewe (er=ar). V. Barrow.
Berrow, h., in Astley; anciently Bergha, Berrowe, or
Berough (Nash, i. 40). V. Barrow.
Berrow Hill, in Hartley. 1275 Adam de Berga, S. R. ;
1327 atte Berewe, de la Berewe, S. R. V. Barrow.
Berry, v. Bury.
Besford, 3 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Beilesford, C. S.
1282 ; D. Beford; 1275 Beseford, S. R. This is Betti's ford,
i.e. the ford on the way to Betti's house; v. Ford.
Bestewde, D. (wde = wood), Dodintret Hundred, held by
Ralph de Todenei ; an unrecognized Domesday manor.
Bettecote is said to have been the ancient manorial name
of Stourbridge, but I have seen no evidence to support the
statement. It may have been a small post-Domesday manor
in Stourbridge. At present the name is confined to a meadow
on the E. side of Stourbridge (v. Scott's Stourbridge, 33, 3 4, and
Stourbridge, post}. 1275 Betiecote (2), S. R. ; 1365 Bettecote
in ,the manor of Oldswinford, Lyt. Ch. The meaning is
Bella's col.
Beverbourn, Iributary of Severn, i m. N. of Worcesler.
BERCHELAI BIRLINGHAM 19
904 Beferburn, C. S. 608 ; 969 Beferic, C. S. 1242. A. S.
be/or, beofor, beaver, and burne, M. E. bourne, a brook
Beaver brook (v. Barbourn and Bevere).
Severe, h., and island in Severn, 3 m. N W. of Worcester.
Beverege insula Sabrinae, Mon. Hist. Br. 600 D. n c.
Beverie. A. S. be/or, beofor, and ig (g = y], island Beaver
island. V. Barbourn, ante, and Beverbourn ; ege and ie are
M. E. forms of ig.
Bewdley. Nash, ii. 274, says, 'Bewdley is not mentioned
in D., but is there included in Ribeford.' ' From its pleasant
situation it is called, in French, Beaulieu (beautiful place), from
whence, by corruption, it got the name of Bewdley.' 1304
Beaulieu; 1388 Beaulieu ; c. 1440 Bewdeley. It has always
been considered ' Beaulieu ' by Camden, Leland, and others.
Beaulieu, in Hants, is pronounced Bewley. Cp. pronunciation
of beauty ; the d in Bewdley is irregular.
Billosley, h., 3^ m. NE. of Kingsnorton. 1275 Billes-
leye, S. R. Bil, Bill was an A. S. p. n. I read this ' Bill's
lea ' ; v. Ley.
Bines (The), farm, Bines Coppice, in Easthain. ' Bine '
is a name applied to many climbing plants, to the climbing
stem of the hop, and to certain kinds of hops. Bine = Bind ;
v. H. E. D., and English Plant Names, s. Bine.
Birch, Farm, Birch Lane, Birch Orls (wood), in Severn
Stoke. 1275 Richard del Birche, William del Birche, Thomas
del Birch, Hugo de Birche, Juliana del Byrche, S. R., s.
Severn Stoke. Probably the birch-tree, A. S. fare, beorc
(c=cK), is here referred to, but, in Staffordshire, ' Birch' is
frequently a form of A. S. bryce, M. E. bruche, later dire A,
meaning, in pi. names, a breaking up (for cultivation) of waste
or woodland. V. Breach, Ridding, Nemmings, Orls.
Birlingham, 2\ m. S. of Pershore. 972 Byrlinghamme,
C. S. 1281 ; Byrlingahamme, C. S. 1282 ; D. Berlingeham \
1275 Byrlyngham, S. R. The prefix is, I think, A. S. byrle
(a cup-bearer, butler), and the ing (q. v.) patronymic. The
C 2
20 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
terminal is A. S. hamrn, riverside meadow land (v. Ham, <$)
' the meadow land of the sons (or descendants) of the butler.'
Birlingham is on the Avon. To btrle, birling, in the sense
of ' pouring out, drinking,' is not yet obsolete ; ' he dwells
near the Tod's hole, a house of entertainment, where there
has been mony a blithe birling' (Bride of Lammermoor,
ch. xxiii, 157). The construction seems improbable, but I can
make nothing of Byrl- as a p. n.
Birth or Berth Hill, in Eldersfield (i m. E. of). This
is on the western side of Severn, where W. long lingered.
It is probably W. berth, fair, beautiful.
Birts Morton, 4 m. SW. of Upton-on-Severn. D. Mor-
lune; 1275 Morton Bree, S. R. ; 1327, 1340 Morton Brut,
S. R. This is plain Moortown (v. More and Ton). Birt is
derived from a family of ' le Bret,' who owned the manor in
the 13 c. Walter le Bret and Robert le Bret were living
there in 1275, and Robert le Brut in 1327 ; Bret, Brut are
only variant forms.
Bishampton, 4 m. NE. of Pershore. The manor belonged
to the Bishops of Worcester before the Conquest, but is not
recorded in any extant A. S. charter. A Biscopes dune,
Bishops hill, is mentioned in C. D. 724, and Kemble identi-
fies it, in his Index, with Bishampton ; but he is wrong, as
the boundaries clearly refer to Bishopston, 2 m. NW. of
Stratford-on-Avon. D. Bisantune ; 1 1 c. Bishamtone, Hem.
301 ; 1275 Bishampton, S. R. This has nothing to do with
a 'Bishop.' If it had, the original form would have been
Biscopes-hdm-tun, and that could not have worn down to
Bisaniune by D. The forms yield ' the home town of Bisa '
(gen. Btsari).
Bittell Farm, Bittell Eeservoirs (Upper and Lower),
on bounds of Alvechurch and Cofton Hacket. 1648 Biltles,
Nash, i. 25. Emma By tilde and Richard Bitild^zvt living
in Alvechurch in 1275 (S. R.), and probably gave name to the
farm or took name from it.
BIRTH HILL BLACKWELL 21
Blackgrave Farm, in Kingsnorton (moated). A. S.graf,
a grove Black grove. V. Bells Farm.
Blackminster, h., in Aldington. A. S. mynsfer,
M. E. minster, a church, monastery Black church (or
monastery).
Blackmore End, Blackmore Park, Blackmore End
Farm, Blackmore Grange, in Hanley Castle. 1275 Robert
de Blakemore and Adam de Blakemore are assessed to the
Subsidy, s. Hanley Castle. Blakemore = Black Moor (M. E.
blake, black). V. More.
Blackst one Rock, on Severn, i m. below Bewdley. 1275
Slaves/one, S. R. ; M. E. blake, black (stone). Noake, ' N. and
Q. for Worcestershire,' 247, says : ' Here is a hermitage, cut
in the rock, to which entrance is gained by a low doorway
into the kitchen, which has for a chimney a circular hole cut
perpendicularly through the rock ; there are also a chapel,
a pantry, with a chamber over, an inner room, closets with
loft over, a study with shelves cut for books, and another
opening in the rock, either for a belfry or chimney. Small
and rudely cut openings in the rock served for windows. In
the front of the cell is a seat carved in the rock, from which
the hermit looked forth on the Severn (which then ran closer
to the rock than it does now) and the beautiful meadows and
wooded banks adjacent. There is a tradition that this was
at one time a smuggler's cave ; it has of late been used as
a cider-making house, &c.'
Blackwell, h., in Tredington, 2 m. NW. of Shipston-on-
Stour. 964 Blackwcelle, C. S. 1134 ; 978 Blace wellan (dat.),
C. D. 620 ; D. Blachewelle ; 1275 Blakewell, S. R. Belonged
to the Bishops of Worcester from remote times, and is fre-
quently mentioned in their charters. Black well means
' a dark spring,' probably from its locality ; cp. Whit-well,
' white spring.'
Blackwell, in Wolverley, perhaps obs. 1 1 c. Blacewalle,
Blakewelle, Hem. 261. V. Blackwell, ante.
22 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Bladen, the ancient name of the Evenlode river (q. v.).
Blakedown, h., in Hagley. Blake is a M. E. representa-
tive of A. S. blacan, the weak dat. sing, of blcec, black Black
down (hill) ; v. Don.
Blakeley Hall, in Oldbury, was a grange belonging
to the abbey of Halesowen. 14 c. Blakeley Black lea
(v. Ley).
Blakeshall, h., in Wolverley. 1275 Blakesal, Blakesele,
S. R. The prefix is probably the p. n. Blake, and the ter-
minal may be hale or sele, both words having the same mean-
ing, ' hall, dwelling house ' Blake's hall.
Blakosley Hall, Yardley. Blake is here probably a p. n.
(having the possessive s) Blake's lea (v. Ley).
Blankquets, or Blankets (The), an ancient mansion
and estate, i \ m. N. of Worcester. A family named Blanket
owned the estate and resided here in the 13 and 14 c. Robert
Blanket is recorded in 1275, Agnes Blanket in 1327, and
Osbert and John Blanket in 1340. The family probably
gave its name to the place, and derived it from the article or
from their colour. Blanket, Blanquet is an O. F. word, first
found in our language in the 13 c.
Blockley, 3 m. NW. of Morton-Henmarsh. 855 Bloccan-
leah, C. S. 488; 978 Bloccanlea, C. D. 620; D. Blockelet;
1275 Blockleye, S. R. This is clearly Blocc or Blocca's lea
(v. Ley). Though Blocc is not found as a p. n., it must have
been one, as D. records three Blochesham, a Blocheshorde,
and Blocheswic (ch = K).
Bluntington, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. 130. Bluntindon,
Blontindon. Blunt is not recorded as an A. S. p. n., but it
must have been one. Bluntsdone, Blunt's hill, and Bluntesham,
Blunt's home, are mentioned in D., and Bluntesige, Blunt's
island, in C. D. 666. Assuming an original Bluntingadun ,
the, construction would be ' the hill of the sons (descendants)
of Blunt ' ; v. Ing and Don.
Bcckleton, 4 m. S. of Tenbury. D. Bodintun\ 1275
BLADEN BOROUGH 23
Boclinton ; 1 3 and 140. Boklynton, Bocklington, Bokelinton.
I thought JBockle- represented the A. S. p. n. Beoccel ; Professor
Skeat says that is impossible, as A. S. eo only gives e or i, never
o. I cannot identify it with any other name. For the terminal
v. Ton. The in may represent a patronymic ing (q. v.).
Cp. Bockleton, in Salop, which in 1321 is spelt Bochtone, in
1534 Bucculton.
Boddington Mill, i m. S. of Bromsgrove. D. Bedindone
(berewick of Stoke Prior). This is probably a mistake of the
D. scribe for Bodindone, which would yield an original Bod-
wine's dun Bodwine's hill (v. Don). By the time of D.
Bodwine was occasionally written Boden and Boding ; it is
probably the root of our family name Boden, Bowden.
Bordesley, h., in Tardebigg, 5 m. SE. of Bromsgrove. 1 2 c .
Bordesleye ; 1275 Bordeshale, Bordesleye, S. R. ; 1327 Bordes-
hale. The prefix represents some p. n., perhaps Brord-,
which by the 13 c. would probably lose the first r; the forms
are too late for certainty ; v. Ley.
Boreley Farm, in Ombersley. 1275 Borleye. Perhaps
originally Bar-leak (long a. = oa) the lea of the (wild) boar ;
but the only form is late. Cp. Wulfleah, now Woolley,
Heortleah, the hart's lea, now Hartley, and v. Arley, and
Ley.
Borley House, on Severn, 2 m. S. of Upton. D. Burge-
leye, berewick of Ripple ; 1 705 Borsley Lodge. Probably the
D. Surge- is a form of A. S. burh (v. Bury), and we should
read Burgeleye, ' the fort near, or on, the lea.' Cp. several
Burleys, and places commencing Burgh-.
Borough, Foreign. Some ancient towns, like Kidder-
minster, are, for certain administrative purposes, divided into
' the township of the Borough ' and ' the township of the
Foreign.' The Borough is the portion in which the burgesses
had their houses and small enclosures attached. Beyond lay
the common fields and the woods and wastes of the manor
(called in early records the lord's forinsic woods'), the legal
24 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
property of the lord, but over which his burgesses had, by
grant or custom, rights of common, turbary, and wood for
fuel, fencing, and building. ' Borough ' is derived from A. S.
burh, a fortified or enclosed place, a town or village ;
' Foreign ' from the L. forinsecus, outside, not domestic.
The Boroughs were comparatively small in area, in Walsall
88 acres, Kidderminster 1213 ; whilst the Foreigns were 7782
and 9567 acres respectively. The country was evidently in
early times mainly wood and waste ; the towns, villages, and
outlying farms were oases in the forest, and every man was,
more or less, a farmer and a hunter.
Borough Hill, in Shipston-on-Stour. In a charter re-
lating to Shipston (the reference to which I have mislaid) this
place is called hcethenan byriggelse the heathen burial-place.
This is the term usually applied by the A. S. to tumuli. It is
commonly supposed that they practised this mode of burial.
They may have done so before their conversion to Christ-
ianity ; but, if they did, would they call their forefathers
' heathens ' ? I have a strong belief that all tumuli, and most
earthworks, are prehistoric.
Boughton, h., in Hill Croome (\\ m. NW. of). 1038
Bocctun, C. D. 760 ; 1275 JBoctone, S. R. ; 1327 Bocton, S. R.
A. S. boc-tun, ' the town of the beech-tree ' (v. Ton).
Bournbrook, village and river in Northfield. 12 75 Byrne-
Iroc, S. R. A. S. burn, broc both words having the same
meaning, i. e. a small stream.
Bouts, h. and farm, in Inkberrow. Bouts, ' the going and
returning of the plough along two adjacent furrows,' H. E. D.
4 In ploughing or sowing, the length of a furrow and back
again ' ; ' the extent of ground mown by a labourer mowing
straight down the field,' E. D. D. s. Bout.
Bowercourt Farm, in Rock (moated). 1332 Henry atU
Boure, S. R. ; 1602 The Bower. A. S. bur] M. E. boure.
The early meaning was a cottage, later a dwelling, abode.
' Court ' is a mod. addition.
BOROUGH HILL BRANT HILL FARM 25
Braces Leigh, h., in Leigh, formerly belonged to
the Braces, an ancient Worcestershire family (rightly de
Braiose], from whom it passed to the Lygons by marriage
in 1419.
Bradford, h., \ m. S. of Bellbroughton. 1300 Bradeford
b ru gg e (bridge); 1351 Bradeford; 1367 Bradeford. K.S.brdd,
broad, and/0r</ Broadford (v. Ford). In 1300 Bradford
Bridge was one of the western bounds of Feckenham
Forest.
Bradley, h., 2 m. SW. of Feckenham. 789 Bradanlege,
C. S. 256; 822 Bradanleage, C. S. 308; 962 Bradanlcege,
C. S. 1086; D. Bradlege. Brddan is the dat. form of A. S.
brad, broad, expansive the broad lea (v. Ley).
Brand Hall, Warley Wigorn. 1309 ' Together with the
chantry belonging to the Brendehalle chapel of St. Catherine
the Virgin' (translated), Lyt. Ch. Brendhalle=\)\xnt hall,
brend being a M. E. form of burned and burnt. The word
was frequently used as an adjective.
Brandwood End, in Kingsnorton (i| m. NE. of).
Without forms certainty is impossible. Brand may represent
a p. n., or it may be the mod. form of a M. E. brend (v.
Brand Hall), in which case the construction would be ' burnt
wood.'
Bransford, h., Bransford Bridge (over Teme), Brans-
ford Mill, Bransford Court, 3 m.W. of Worcester. 716
Branesforde, C. S. 134; 1106 Bregnesford, C. S. 963; D.
Bradnesford ; 1275 Branesford, Bransford. The prefix
certainly represents an A. S. name. I think Bregn (g=y\
though not recorded, is a likely p. n. ; perhaps a short
form of Bregeni, an unrecorded name clearly represented in
Bregentford, now Brentford. I read this as Bregn's ford
(v. Ford).
Brant Hill Farm, i m. NE. of Bellbroughton. The
modern form is probably also the ancient one, A. S. brant,
steep, high.
26 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Breach. Farm, in Hunnington, Breach Farm, in Bell-
broughton, Breach Farm, in Stoulton. Breach, Britch,
Bratch, Birch, are common in Midland compound pi. names.
The root is A. S. bryce (breche), M. E. bruche, birch, newly
enclosed or broken-up ground. The name is generally
found on the confines of ancient forests or wastes. It is
equivalent to the Lancashire Royd, and to Ridding, Stockings,
Stubbock, Old Fallings, Nemmings, &c., all meaning a clearing
in the wilderness.
Bredicote, 3^ m. E. of Worcester. 840 Bradigcotan,
C. S. 428; c. 978 Bradingccotan, C. D. 683; D. Bradecole;
nc. Eradicate, Bradecote. Co/an is the dat. sing, of A. S.
cote, a cottage; the ing (q.v.) is probably possessive, and
the prefix the A. S. p. n. Brada the cottage belonging to
Brada. The i in the mod. form is the remains of ing, and
the ig in the first form probably a contraction for it.
Bredon, 3 m. NE. of Tewkesbury, is mentioned in
numerous charters, commencing in 772, and always as
Breodune, Breodun in Hulc (Wich), or Breodun in provincia
Wicciorum. Bre is a Celtic word, meaning a hill or rising
ground, e. g. Breiddon Hill, near Welshpool. The terminal
dun is both Celtic and A. S., and means a hill or down, so
that the name is a pleonasm, ' hill hill ' or ' hill down.' Cp.
Brewood, Staffordshire; Bredon-on-the-hill, Leicestershire;
Brill, Oxon. (A. S. Brehyll) ; and Bradden, Northants (Bredun
in 664).
Bredons Norton, v. Norton-by-Bredon.
Brend-, v. Brand-.
Bretforton, 3^ m. E. of Evesham. 709 Bretferton, C. S.
125; 714 Brolfortun, Bretfertun, C. S. 130; 860 Bradferdtun,
3 C. D. p. 396; D. Bratforiune', 1275 Bretforton, S. R.
This is a puzzle, the only certainty being the terminal ' town '
(v. ,Ton). The charters of 709 and 714 exist only in late
copies, and are corrupt. Professor Skeat suggests the name
was Brad-ford-ton, broad-ford-town, in very late spelling.
BREACH FARM BROADWAY 27
Bricklehampton, 3 m. SE. of Pershore. D. Bricstelmes-
tune ; 1275 Brysihampton, S. R. ; 130. Britchthelinton. This
is ' Beorhthelm's town ' (v. Ton) ; but beorhi-, bright, has
gone through some changes, and we find Beorhthelm written
Brihthelm and Brichlhelm. The last form has evidently been
adopted in this pi. n., the c giving rise to the ck. Brighton
is only the modern form of Brihthelmestun. The common
terminal -hampton has several origins, but I do not remember
another instance of -helmestun taking that form.
Bristitune, a D. berewick (outlying farm) of Kidder-
minster, is supposed to be obsolete, but the name may linger
in some obscure form.
Bristnall Hill, Bristnall Fields, in Warley-Wigorn. 1 3 c.
Brussenhulle, several times. Brussen is an obsolete form of
bursten and burst, and means ' burst, broken ' ; brussen is the
p. p. of brust and a M. E. form of byrst, to burst ; all from
A. S. berslan; brist is also a M. E. form of the word.
' Earth-breach ' and ' broken-hill ' are sometimes mentioned
in A. S. charters. They probably refer to landslips or
subsidences. For authorities v. H. E. D. s. Bursten, E. D. D.
s. Brust, Stratmann's M. E. D. s. Brust. Bristnall means
' burst ' or ' broken hill.'
Broadwas, on the Teme 7 m. W. of Worcester. 779
Bradeuuesse, Bradewasse, C. S. 233; c. 1108 Bradewasse;
D. Bradewesham; 1275 Bradewas, S. R. A. S. Brddwasc
(sc=.sK) broad wash (land liable to flood, a swamp). Cp.
Sugwas, Alrewas, Moccas, all on river sides.
Broad-waters, h., in Wolverley. The ancient name was
Usmere (v. Ismere). Here is a long lake, or series of lakes,
on the course of the Stour. 1275, 1327 La Lake, S. R. ;
1713 Broad-waters. The present name seems almost
modern.
Broadway, 5 m. SE. of Evesham. 972 Bradwege (g=y),
C. S. 1281; 972 Bradanwege (dat. form), C. S. 1282; D.
Bradtweia] 1275 Bradtweye, S. R. On the great road
28 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
between London, Worcester, and the West. The road is very
wide through the village ; plainly ' Broadway.'
Broc, D., Dodintret Hundred, Ralph de Mortimer; an
unrecognized D. manor. The meaning is plain ' brook.'
Brockamin, h., in Leigh. 17 and 18 c. Brocamin,
Brocamine. The prefix is doubtless A. S. broc, a brook, but
the terminal I cannot interpret, and it is probably corrupt.
Brockencote, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. 13 c. Brocham-
cote, S. R. ; 1679 Brockencott. 'The 130. form suggests an
original J3rdc-him-cotan=&\. the cot at brook-home.' (Skeat.)
Brockhill Dingle, in Alvechurch. 1275 Juliana atte
Brochole, S. R. The form is correct, and means ' the brook
in the hollow,' A. S. hoi, holh, having the sense of 'hollow'
as well as 'hole,' and being the root of the modern word
' hollow.'
Brockhill Farm, Brockhill Wood, \\ m. NW. of
Redditch. 15 c. Brockehull (belonged to Bordesley Abbey).
A. S. broc, a brook Brook hill. The form is late (v. Brock-
hill, posf).
Brockhill Farm, Brockhill Wood, in Beoley. 1275
Brokhull, S. R. ; 1327 Brochull, S. R. ' Brook hill,' . Brock-
hill, ante.
Bromsgrove. 804 Bremesgrcefan (dat.), C. S. 313 ; 804,
821 Bremesgrcef; 822 Bremesgraf; D. Bremesgrave\ 1275
Bremesgrave, S. R. A. S. p. n. Brem, and graf, grove
Brem's grove. Brem means renowned, illustrious. A
Brem fought for the Conqueror at Hastings and the name
is recorded in D. A Brem gave name to Birmingham,
originally Bremingeham (g soft), ' the home of the descendants
of Brem ' ; and thence ' Brumagem.' The old meaning of
' grove ' was a thicket, rather than a small wood ; Crawford
Charters, 61.
Bromwich Wood, in Northfield. A family of 'de
Bromwich' were living in Northfield in the 12 c., and are
frequent witnesses to mediaeval deeds. A charter of 1383
BROC BROUGHTON RACKET 29
mentions ' the manor of Frankley, Bromwich, and Oldenhull,'
and ' Bromewychestude ' (stead) and ' Bromewycheslond ' are
frequently referred to in the Lyt. Chart. Before the 13 c.,
when family names were rare, a new-comer was frequently
described by his Christian name, adding ' de,' and the name
of the place he came from. A family residing in its native
place only took the place name when they owned the estate
or manor.
Brookhampton, h., in Ombersley. 1275 Brochamlone,
Brokamtone, S. R. This in A. S. would be Broc-hdm-tun
Brook home town (v. Ham and Ton).
Broom, 5 m. E. of Kidderminster. 1275 Brome (3), S. R.
A. S. brom, broom (genista). Probably from the original
settlement being made upon a heath. It lay within the
ancient limits of Feckenham Forest.
Broom Hall, in Yardley (moated). 972 Bromhalas, C. D.
570; 1275 Bromhale, S. R. Bromhalas I translate 'broomy
meadows ' (v. Hale). The original meaning of brom, broom,
was ' a thorny shrub ' (whence bramble), ' furze or gorse/ so
that the meaning here is a heath or wilderness ; in later times
it became confined to the common broom plant. Broom
Hall adjoins ' Yardley Wood.'
Broomhall, h., in Norton by Kempsey. 1275 Bromhale,
S. R. (v . Broom Hall, ante),
Broom Hill, h., in Bellbroughton. 1275 Bromhull, S. R.
Broomy hill (v. Broom Hall, ante").
Broughton, or Drakes Broughton, h., in Pershore (2 J m.
NW. of). 972 Broctune, C. S. 1282; D. Broctune; 1275
Broctone, S. R. V. Broughton Hacket, post. William le
Drake was living here in 1275, S. R.
Broughton Hacket, 6 m. N. of Pershore. 972 Broctune,
C. S. 1281; D. Broctune; 12 c. Brocton, Lyt. Ch. ; 1275
Brocton Haket, S. R. There is no evidence that the Hacket
family ever owned the manor, or held property here, but
they probably did so before 1275 ; they gave name to Cofton
30 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Racket. All Broughtons (in the Midlands) were originally
Broctun Brook town. Bellbroughton, though spelt Broctune
in A. S. charters, is Brotune in D., and in the 1 3 c. is written
Brotune, Broton, and Brotton.
Broughton (Temple), f., Broughton Wood, Broughton
Green, in Hanbury. V. Broughton Racket, ante. The
estate was called Temple Broughton because it belonged to
the Knights Templars.
Buckle Street is a portion of the Icknield Street lying
S. of Bidford, running by Church Honeybourne, near Weston-
sub-Edge, Saintbury, and over Broadway Hill on the Cots-
wolds. 709 Buggildestret, Buggildstret, ac inde in ealdgare
quod indtgenae nannemonnesland vocant secus Buggildesiret
(' and thence to the old gore (narrow strip) which the natives
call No man's land, by the side of Buggildestret'). This
charter refers to the road S. of Honeybourne, and the extract
to the portion between Saintbury and Newcomb, on Willersey
Hill. 860 Buggan stret, C. D. 289 (S. of Honeybourne);
967 Bucgan street (3), C. S. 1201 (between Bidford and
Honeybourne). The earliest charter is entitled to the most
respect, and that gives us ' Burghild's street ' (A. S. fem. p. n.
Burghild}. The later charters yield us Bucga's street (A. S.
fem. p. n. Bucge\ The modern form supports the oldest
charter. It would seem from the extract that the portion of
the Icknield Street between Saintbury and Newcombe was
abandoned as early as 709. PS. Bucge is a short form of
BurgMd (v. Crawford Charters, p. 56), so the forms agree.
V. Icknield Street, Hayden Way.
Buffwood, probably obsolete, near Clifton-on-Teme. 1 1 c.
Bufawuda, Hem. 251. The prefix is curious and rare. It
is A. S. bufan, above, and wuda (dat.), a wood Above wood.
The a in above is excrescent, and was not used until the 1 3 c.
Bullockhurst Farm, in Rock. 1275 Bolluchurst, S. R.
The form is M. E., and means Bullock-wood (A. S. hyrst,
hurst, a wood).
BROUGHTON BURY 31
Bungay Lake Farm, 3 m. W. of Bromsgrove. Thos.
Bungy is assessed in the 1275 S. R., s. Drayton, which is
adjacent. Thos. Bungy is also assessed, s. Chaddesley Corbett,
in 1327. Bungy is an obsolete word, meaning ' puffed out,
protuberant/ likely to be applied to a corpulent man. Of
course the family may have taken its name from the locality ;
cp. Bungay, in Suffolk, which means a peninsula in shape
of a rounded hill ; v. Skeat's Place-Names of Cambridge-
shire, 56.
Bunkers Hill, f., in Wickhamford ; Bunkers Hole,
in Feckenham. There are numerous ' Bunkers hills '
throughout the kingdom, but, having met with no early
forms, I conclude it is a mere fancy name, conferred
after the victory at Bunkers Hill, U. S., in 1775 (v.
Vigo). Cp. Bunkers Hill, in Kinver; Bunkers Hill, near
Bilston.
Burcote, h., i| m. NE. of Bromsgrove. D. Bericote
(berewick of Bromsgrove) ; 1275 Byrcote, S. R. ; 1300 Byre-
cote. The D. form suggests an A. S. berecote, a cot where
grain was stored; cp. Berewick, Barton. The later forms
suggest A. S. byre, a cattle-stall or shed, but that is hardly
consistent with ' cot.'
Burf (The), hill, in Astley. The name is borne by
several hills in Salop, all of which are crowned by prehistoric
forts or entrenchments. Cp. Abdon Burf, Clee Burf, Burf
Castle, &c. Burf has been said to represent W. buarth, an
enclosure, place of assembly, a circle ; but Professor Skeat
considers it represents A. S. burgh, a fort (v. Bury), and to
be a mere popular use of y for -gh.
Bury, Borough, Berry. These terminals have their
root in A. S. burh, dat. byrr'g, byrg, M. E. burgh, borawe,
burwe, borugh, &c., meaning an enclosed place, from a castle,
town, or village, to a single homestead surrounded by a wall
or rampart of earth. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish
the forms, which in M. E. are very varied, from A. S. beorg,
32 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
beorh, beorge, a hill, tumulus (v . Barrow). The r was strongly
rolled, and the h was like Scotch ch vt\ loch ; thence develop-
ment of u in form borough. Burgh, in Lincolnshire, is
pronounced ' Borough.' Burgh, burg, burh, in A. S. dic-
tionaries are generally interpreted ' a fortified place, a town,
a city ' ; but, with few exceptions, towns and cities were not
founded right away, but grew from small beginnings perhaps
a single homestead and acquired a name before they had
any pretensions to importance. In a charter of 996 'the old
burgh ' is mentioned as on the bounds of the manor. The
bounds are precisely what they were, and the description so
accurate that every locality can be identified. The ' old
burgh ' consists of seven small pits, the dwellings of some
primitive race. No trace of enclosure or earthwork remains,
and it is improbable that any ever existed. Pit-dwellings
could only have been occupied by some persecuted feeble
folk hiding themselves in holes ; and yet the place is called
a burg.
Bushley, 2 m. NW. of Tewkesbury. D. Biselege; 1275
Bisseley, S. R. ; later Bushley. Bush is found freely in M. E.
as busk, bosche, busse, busch (but no bisse). It has not been
found in A. S., though recorded in Old High German as
bush. We have therefore no authority for accepting the D.
Use-, or the later bisse-, as forms of ' bush.' They probably
represent the A. S. p. n. jBt'sa, Bissa. V. Ley and
Bishampton.
Cadborough Coppice, in Oldberrow. V. Cadbury.
Cadbury Banks, prehistoric fort in Eldersfield; no
forms. Cadbury, in Somerset, 6 m. SW. of Wincanton, and
Cadbury, in Devon, 6 m. NE. of Crediton, also have great
earthworks, and are respectively named in D. Cadeberie and
Cadebirie. These forms represent an A. S. Cadanbyrig,
Cada's fort ; v. Bury. It is curious that three fortified places,
and they only, bear the same name.
BUSHLEYCARANT BROOK 33
Cakebould, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. 1275 Cakebale,
S. R. I cannot translate this or make any useful suggestion.
Cp. Cakemore, post, and Cakemuir, in Scotland.
Cakemore, h., in Warley Wigorn. 1309 Cakemore;
1427 Cakkemore. V. Cakebould, ante, and More.
Calcott Hill, in Clent. Calcott is a short form of Calde-
cott or Caldicote, derived from the A. S. form, at thdm caldan
co/an, ' at the cold cot.'
Caldwell, h., m. S. of Kidderminster. 1275 Caldewell,
S. R. ; formerly the estate and residence of the Cooksey or
Cokesey family. A. S. cald wyll, cold spring.
Caldwell, h., Caldwell Mill, in Pershore. 1275 Cald-
welle, S. R. A. S. cald wyll, cold spring.
Callow Hill, a common name in Worcestershire. A. S.
calo, M. E. calewe, callow bald, bare; applied to hills bare
of timber or bush. Moel has the same meaning in W.
A common English 1 3 c. surname, or nickname, is ' le kalewe '
the bald.
Cames Coomb (fields) and Cames Coomb Wood, in
Elmley Castle, probably take their prefix from John Caam,
who was living in Great Comberton, adjoining, in 1327,
S. R. Richard Cam was also living in Little Comberton in
1275-
Cank, h., in Inkberrow, an enclosure in Nunnery Wood.
Cank is a Midland dialectic word to chatter, gabble, cackle
(as geese) ; canking-pleck, a place to chat in. ' We heard
the cank of the wild geese as they flew by/ ' what's all
this cank about ? ' are Warwickshire and Worcestershire
phrases (v. E. D. D.). The application requires local know-
ledge.
Carant Brook, flows from Bredon Hill into Avon at
Tewkesbury. 780 C&rent, C. S. 236 ; 778 Carent, C. S. 232 ;
875 Kcerent, C. S. 541; 977 Karente, C. D. 617. direst
of t ham burhgangeate in Karente ' first from the gate (wide
enough for one) of the burh, to Kaerente.' There are entrench-
D
34 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
ments on Bredon Hill, doubtless referred to in burhgangeate
(v. Bredon, and Banbury Stone). C&rent is not an A. S.
word ; W. caer, ' a fort, rampart,' may be the prefix, but the
rest is inexplicable. These old river names are very difficult
to deal with. Cp. the ' Charente ' river, France.
Carton, f., in Mamble (2 m. NE. of). D. Carle/une; 1275
Carkedon, S. R. ; 1332 Carkeden, S. R. I distrust the D.
form. If accepted, the original form would be Ceorlatune,
meaning ' the churls or husbandmen's town/ or ' Ceorle's
town,' Ceorl being a common p. n., borne alike by princes and
peasants. But then this should become Charlton. It could
only be Carlton in the NE. of England, or in some locality
frequented by Norsemen, and they had no influence whatever
in Worcestershire (v. Charlton). Carkeden I cannot trans-
late ; that also must be a corrupt form. D. records 2 7 ' Carle-
tune/ all, except in this instance, in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire,
and Nottinghamshire ; and 18 ' Cerletone ' (pr. Charlton), all
in Mercian counties.
Castle Hill, f., in Wolverley. There is a moat here, an
ancient building, earthworks, great fish-ponds, and very old
trees. It was a hunting lodge, in Kinver Forest, of the A. S.
and early Norman kings. The buildings were fortified (hence
Castle), and there was a prison (Staffordshire Pipe Rolls,
12 c.). V. Kinver, Kingsford.
Castle Morton, or Morton Folliot, 4 m. W. of Upton-on-
Severn. 1275, 1333 Morton Folet, S. R. There was an early
Norman castle here. The Folliots, an ancient Worcestershire
family, are believed to have held Morton in early times
(Nash, ii. 109). A. S. Mortun, Moor town. V. More and
Ton.
Catharine (Saint), Chapel and Well, summit of Bredon
Hill. No information.
Catshill, h., in Bromsgrove. 1275 Catteshull; 13 and 14 c.
Cateshull, Kateshull. A. S. p. n. Cat ; M. E. hull Gael's
hill. Cp. Catshill, in Wilts, (near Trowbridge) ; Catshill,
CARTON CHARFORD 35
5 m. SW. of Lichfield, a tumulus, and boundary of three
manors.
Caunsall, h., in Wolverley. 1275, 1327 Conneshale, S. R.
Conne doubtless represents a p. n. ; but the form is late, and
probably corrupt ; for the terminal, v. Hale.
Chadbury, h., in Norton, 2 m. N. of Evesham. 714
castellum de Chadelburt, C. S. 131 ; 860 Ceadweallan byrig
(2), 3 C. D. 395. Ceadwealla, Ceadwalla (ce = ch) was an
A. S. p. n. It was borne by two early kings, and by a
brother . of St. Ceadda (Chad) Ceadwalla's burgh (v. Bury).
The charter of 714 is only preserved to us in late copies,
and it is not unlikely that the copyist pronounced Chadbury
as it was spelt in his time. It is hardly possible that
Ceadwallan byrig could have been shortened to Chadelburi
by 714.
Chaddesley Corbett, 4} m. SE. of Kidderminster. 816
Ceaddesleage, C. S. 357. D. Cedes/at; 1275 Chaddesley e,
S. R. A. S. p. n. Cead, Ceadd (Chad) Chad's lea (v. Ley).
The Corbels were its manorial lords in the i3th and i4th
centuries.
Chadwick, h., i m. SW. of Hartlebury. 1300 Chadeles-
wt'cke, Chadeswicke', 1327 Chedewyke, S. R. This is a case
of phonetic decay. I do not doubt that an A. S. form would
give us Ceadweallan-wic, Ceadwealla's village (re=^)(z>. Wich).
It is impossible to disregard the le in the forms here, and in
Chadwick, post\ v. also Chadbury. (In the O. M., i in.
1832, this place appears as 'Cherwick.')
Chadwick, h., Chadwick Grange, 3 m. N.of Bromsgrove.
D. Celdvic] 1275 Chadleswich, S. R. ; 1240 Chadelewtck;
13 c. Chadekswtch, Chaddewyke; 14 c. Chadeleswich; 1432
Chaddeswick. A. S. Ceadweallan-wic, Ceadwealla's village
(ce = cK). V. Wich, Chadwick, ante, and Chadbury.
Charford, h., i m. S. of Bromsgrove. 1275 Cherleford,
S. R.; 1327 Charleford, S. R. A. S. Ceor la-ford, the
churl's ford. Ceorl (churl), a countryman, husbandman.
D 2
36 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Charlton, h., in Cropthorne, 2 m. SE. of Evesham. 780
Ceorlelune, C. S. 235; n c. Ceorlefune; D. Carletune; 1108
Ceorletune (ce = ch) the churl's town (v. Charford).
Chaseley, 3 m. SW. of Tewkesbury. 816 Ceadresleahge,
Ceadresleage, C. S. 356 ; 1 108 Chaddesleia ; 1275 Chaddesleye,
S. R. 'Chad's lea' (v. Chaddesley, ante).
Chanson, h., i\ m. SW. of Droitwich. D. Celvestune;
1 1 08 C halves tone] 1275, 1327 C halves tone, S. R. The forms
yield an original A. S. cealfestun (ce = ch\ CalPs town (any
enclosed place was a tun, v. Ton). Kelvedon (Hatch) in
Essex has a similar root Calf's hill ; its M. E. forms oscillate
between c and ch, finally settling down to k.
Chester Lane, Kidderminster, part of an unrecognized
Roman way from Chester to Worcester, Gloucester, and Bath,
via Whitchurch, Newport, Whiston Cross, Patshull, Rudge
Heath, Enville Common, Kinver, Kidderminster (a mile N. of),
and Ombersley. It was a common road from Chester to the
South until about 1750, when turnpike roads diverted the
traffic, below Newport, via Wolverhampton, Himley, &c.
Chevington, h., 2 m. NW. of Pershore. 972 Civincgtune,
C. S. 1282 ; D. Civintone; 1275 Kyvintone, Chyvintone, S.R.
From the A. S. p. n. Ceofa (c = ch\ plus suffix -ing (q.v.)
the town of the descendants of Ceofa. Cp. Chevington in
Suffolk, and two Chevingtons in Northumberland.
Chockenhill, h., in Leigh ( i \ m. SW. of). 1 4 c. Chokenhull,
Chokkenhuly Cokenhill, Cokenhall, Chokynhall. 18 c. Chocken-
hill. This is probably from the A. S. masc. p. n. Ceocca
{ce = ch\ which would give an original Ceoccanhyll, Ceocca's
hill.
Church Honeybourne, v. Honeybourne (Church).
Churchill, 3$ m. SW. of Stourbridge. D. Cercehalle;
12 c. Chirchhulle; 1275 Chyrchull, S. R. ; 16 c. Churchehylle.
This means ' Church hill/ though D. does not record a church
or priest here. The present church, Nash says, does not
stand upon a hill.
CHARLTON CLENT 37
Churchill, 4 m. SE. of Worcester. D. Circehille; 1275
Cherchull, S. R. Church hill. D. records a priest as then
residing here. Church was variously spelt : A. S. ci'rce, cirice,
M. E. cyrce, chirche, circe, &c., all pronounced church.
Church Lonch, v. Lench (Church).
Cladswall, h., in Inkberrow (2 m. NE. of). 1357 Clodes-
hale; 1640 Cladsal; 1799 Cladshall. The prefix doubtless
represents a p. n., probably Clodd or Clode, both M. E.
family names; the terminal was hale (q. v.) Clodd or
Clode's meadow land.
dairies, 3 m. N. of Worcester. Not in D., being included
in Northwick Manor. 1 1 c. Cleinesse, Hem. 427 ; from 12 c.
always Claims. I can make nothing of this, and give it up.
Cleeve Prior, 5 m. NE. of Evesham. 888 Clife, C. S.
575; D. Clive. A. S. clif, M. E. dive, cleeve, a cliff, steep
descent; the word is comparative, and in a level country
was frequently applied to small eminences, or mere rising
ground. Here some of the land projects over the river Avon.
It was the property of the Priors of Worcester from remote
times.
Clent, 4 m. SE. of Stourbridge. D. Clent; always Clent.
This word is not to be found in any A. S. record or
dictionary, and is assumed to be Scandinavian. In Old
Icelandic it is Kleltr, assimilated from Klentr, in Dan. and
Sw. Klini, and means a rock, hill, a craggy or peaked hill ;
v. H. E. D. s. Clent and Clint. I suspect the word was also
A. S., or how could it get into D. ? The Norsemen never
settled in Worcestershire, or left a word of their language
there. The ' Clent hills ' here are lofty and rugged land-
marks. Cp. Clint, in Ripley, Yorkshire, Clintmains in
Berwickshire, Glints of Dromore, in Scotland (all hills) ; but
in the N. Scandinavian names abound. There is no other
Clent in England. PS. Professor Skeatis satisfied that Clent
is not an A. S. word, but Old Norse, and may have been
carried by the Norsemen up Severn.
38 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Clerkenleap, h., in Kempsey (i\ m. N. of). 1649
Clarkenlepp. Doubtless ' Clerks' leap,' but in what sense the
words are used it is difficult to say. ' Clerkene ' is a M. E. gen.
plural form of ' Clerk.' Cp. Clerkenwell, London ; which, Stow
(Survey, 1598) says, 'took the name of the Parish Clerks in
London, who, of old time, were accustomed there yearly to
assemble and to play some large history of Holy Scripture.'
Clerkenwell was within the precincts of the Priory of St.
John (demolished c. 1550), which may have given rise to
the name, or to the Miracle plays referred to. The original
meaning of ' clerk ' was a man in a religious order, cleric,
clergyman; but it came to mean also a scholar, pen-
man, &c.
Clevelode, h., in Powick (3 m. S. of). 1275 Clyvelode,
S. R. ; 1300 Clivelade; 1319 Clyvelode; 1595 Cleveloade.
Clyve, Ch've, Cleeve, Cleve, are M. E. forms of cliff, a word
applied in the Midlands to a steep bank, or, in a level
district, to a mere hill. A. S. lad (a=o) (earlier geldd) is
a way, passage, frequently applied to ferries and fords on
Severn. The hamlet of Clifton (q.v.) lies three-quarters of a
mile E.
Clifton, in Severn Stoke (i\ m. N. of). V. Cleeve Prior,
and Clevelode.
Clifton-upon-Teme, 7 m. NE. of Bromyard, on a hill
overlooking the Teme. 934 Cliftun, C. S. 700, Clifiune ultra
Tamedam (heading) ; D. Clistune; 1275 Cliflon, S. R. A. S.
clif-tun, cliff town. The s in D. must be readyj those letters
in A. F. being frequently undistinguishable. V. Cleeve
Prior.
Clows Top, h., in Mamble, on the main road from
Bewdley to Tenbury over Wyre Forest, 725 ft. above sea
level; near are High Clows (f.) and Clows Cottage. 1633
a hill called the ' Clowes Topp! The gen. s points to a p. n.
Cloibe or Clouse was a Worcestershire family name as early
as 1332 (S. R.), and is probably here represented.
CLERKENLEAP COFTON HACKET 39
Cobley, h., i\ m. SW. of Alvechurch. 12 c. Cobbeslee;
1 6 c. Cobley hull; belonged to Bordesley Abbey Cobb's lea
(v. Ley). Cobba was an A. S. p. n., and Cobbe a common
M. E. name, as Cobb is now.
Cochehi, in Doddingtree Hundred, an unrecognized D.
manor. In 1327 Richard Cokete is assessed to the Subsidy,
s. Suckley, S. R. Both names are curious, and somewhat
alike, and both have corrupt terminals.
Cockshuto, Cockshutts, Cockshot, Cockshoot, Cock-
shut, the name of several hills, farms, and woods in Worcester-
shire. The word has two meanings: (i) ' a broad way or glade
in a wood, through which woodcocks, &c. might dart or "shoot,"
so as to be caught by nets stretched across the opening'
(H. E. D. s. Cockshoot); (2) a spring or rivulet on a bank
or hillside, to which a trough or spout was fixed to convey
water to carts or vessels for domestic use. (Cp. H. E. D. s,
Cock, sl>. 1 12.) In the majority of cases the last meaning
would prevail, and local knowledge would be of service. Exs. :
Cockshute in Malvern Link (spring here), Cockshutt Farm in
Wichenford, Cockshutt Hill in Hadsor, Cockshute Farm in
Dormston, Cockshut Hill in Lulsley, Cockshut Hill in Shelsey
Beauchamp, Cockshutts in Berrow, Cockshot in Cakemore
Halesowen (1440 Kockshete).
C of ton Hacket, 5 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 780 C of tune,
C. S. 234; 848 Co/tune, C. S. 455 ; 934 Co/tune, C. S. 701 ;
D. Costune; 1275 Co/tone, S. R. ; 1327 Cos/one, Co/tone, S. R.
In some A. S. charters the name is written Cos/one, but they
are only copies, and the s is a mistake for /, those letters in
A. F. being much alike, and sometimes indistinguishable.
The original charters extant are plain Coftune, and the pro-
nunciation has accorded. The root is A. S. cofa, a small
chamber or cell, a cove, and tun, town (v. Ton). The
Hacket family held Cofton in the 12 c. and afterwards.
Cofa was not a p. n. Cp. Coven, in Staffs., and Coventry
(A. S. Cofantreo).
40 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Cole, river, North Worcestershire. 849 Colle, C. S. 455.
In A. S. col means charcoal, and Col, Cole, was a p. n., but
those forms are not applicable to a river. Cp. Cole, in
Somersetshire ; Cole, a rivulet in Wilts., several Colebrooks,
and many pi. names commencing Cole. A. S. col means
'cool,' formerly pronounced cole; it is conceivable that the
old pronunciation has been kept up in river names. If so
Colebrook is simply ' cool brook,' and river Cole ' cool '
river. The word is difficult to deal with.
Colemans Hill, in Cradley. 13 c. Collemore, Collemor,
Lyt. Ch. The ' de Collemore ' family frequently appear as
parties or witnesses to the Lyttleton Charters between 1299
and 1425. No local 'Coleman'is mentioned. The prefix
is probably A. S. col, M. E. cole, colle, (char)coal, but there is
pit coal here which, in early times, has been worked on the
outcrops ; it is probably Coal moor (v. More) corrupted to
Coleman.
Combe, a common terminal in West Saxon pi. names,
and comparatively rare in Mercian. It is A. S. comb, cumb,
from W. cwm, a hollow among hills, a valley.
Comberton, h., i m. SE. of Kidderminster. 1275
Cumbrintone, S. R. Cumbra was an A. S. p. n., and I think
this must be read ' Cumbra's town ' (v. Ton). The n in the
form might be the gen. addition, or be the remains of an
original Cumbringtun, the town of the descendants of Cumbra
(v. Ing). Cumbrawylle (Cumbra's spring) is mentioned in
a charter of 980, C. D. 627, relating to Waresley, in Hartle-
bury, adjoining. ' Comberton, in Cambridgeshire, is " Cumbra's
town." ' (Skeat.)
Comberton (Great), Comberton (Little), 3 m. SE. of
Pershore. 972 Cumbrincgtune, C. S. 1282 ; D. Cumbrintune,
Cumbritune ; 1275 Cumbrintone, S. R. Cumbra was an A. S.
p. n. This is ' Cumbra's town,' or ' the town of the descendants
of Cumbra,' if the ing is taken as a patronymic ; v. Ing and
Ton.
COLE COOK HILL 41
Comble, an unrecognized D. berewick (outlying farm) of
Bromsgrove. Mr. J. Horace Round (Hist, of Worcestershire,
i. 285) suggests it may be represented by Cobley Hill (v.
Cobley), but that is improbable.
Combs Wood, in Halesowen. c. 1 250 his close o/Cumbes,
Lyt. Ch. This can hardly have been a p. n. in 1250, though
Coombes is now a common one. It is probably the pi. form
of A. S. cumb, a valley (v. Combe).
Comhampton, h., in Ombersley (2 m. NW. of). There
are many -hamptons (rightly -hdmtun) hereabout. Professor
Skeat suggests an A. S. Cuman-ham-tun = home town of
Cuma ; Cuma = stranger.
Conderton, h., in Overbury. 875 Canluaretun, C. S. 541 ;
1327 Conterton, S. R. Professor Skeat says: 'The charter
of 875 is old and good ; Cantware = Cant war a " of the men
of Kent " (tun, town) ; it is an interesting record of some
Kentishmen's settlement here.' The charter is a grant by
Ceolwulf, king of the Mercians, of this manor (with Overbury
and Pendock) to the monks of Worcester.
Coneybury, f., in Dormston ; Coneyburrow Hill,
in Longdon. Cony, coney, is a M. E. word (imported
from France) for a rabbit. The terminal is probably
burrow, a M. E. word of doubtful origin, of which bury
was a form, Coney-bury, or -burrow, meaning a rabbit
warren.
Coneyswick (or Conningswick), f., in Rock (| m. E. of).
D. Colingwic ; 1275 Colltngwike, S. R. ; 1327 Collyng(wic),
Colyngwyk, S. R. ; 1603 Conisweeke. Professor Skeat says:
' A. S. Coll-inga-wic = the village of the sons of Coll '; v. Ing
and Wich.
Cook Hill, h., in Inkberrow (2 m. E. of). There was
a nunnery here founded by Isabella de Beauchamp c. 1 2 50.
I3C. Cochulle, Cochull; i4c. Cokhull, Cokehull. The prefix
probably represents the p. n. Cdc (Cook), a mediaeval family
name.
42 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Cookley, h., in Wolverley. 964 Culnan clif t C. D. 1251 ;
1066 Cullecliffe; 1275 Coleclif, S. R. This is a strong
example of corruption, but when the meaning of a name has
been lost there is a tendency to change it to something which
has a meaning, or is more familiar. Culna has no meaning
in A. S., and I think must have been a p. n., though I find
no record of it ; Culnan would be the gen., and I read this
as Culna's cliff. V. Clifton.
Cooksey, h., 3 m. W. of Bromsgrove. D. Cochesei, bere-
wick of Bromsgrove; 13 c. Cokesey, 1275 Cokesey, S. R.
The D. Caches A. S. coces, cook's. The terminal is a form
of A. S. ig, island, the old meaning of which was watery
land, as well as land entirely surrounded by water. The
construction is Cook's island. It would be difficult to say
whether a p. n. or a cook is referred to.
Cordiwell Hall, 3 m. W. of Bromsgrove, formerly spelt
Caudwell, perhaps derives its name from a family of ' Cawd-
well ' who formerly held lands in Bromsgrove Manor (Nash,
i- i55) > but quite as likely the family derived its name from
the place. If so, the original A. S. form would be Cealdwiell,
M. E. Caldwelle, Cold well (spring).
Cornbrook, Cornwood, Cornlyth, in Newnham. 777
Cornwelle, C. S. 222; 957 Coma droc, Coma wudu, Coma
lyth, otherne Coma droc, C. S. 1007 ; 1275 Cornwode, S. R. ;
1332 Corndale, S. R. The prefix has nothing to do with
corn (grain), and that is all that can be said, for corna is not
translatable. The terminals broc, brook, wudu, wood, lyth,
a hillside, are plain enough ; but corna even Professor Skeat
' gives up.'
Corse Lawn, in Chaseley, 3 m. W. of Tewkesbury. Corse
is a M. E. form of Causey, derived from O. F. caucie t a raised
way across low, wet ground. The old meaning of ' lawn ' is
an ppen space in a wood or wild land. An ancient road from
the N. to Gloucester traverses Corse Lawn, and in mediaeval
times the locality was forest ground.
COOKLEY COTSWOLDS 43
Cotheridge, 4 m. W. of Worcester. 963 Coddan hrycce,
Coddan hrycge, C. S. 1 106 ; D. Codrie j 13 c. Coderugge. The
D. Norman scribe was evidently perplexed by the A. S.
hrycce, and washed his hands of it. Coda, Codda, Codd was
an A. S. p. n., Codanford and Coddan hrycge appearing in
A. S. charters, the n making the gen. A. S. hrycg, M. E.
rugge, means a ridge of land, a long, narrow hill. This is
' Codda's ridge.' V. Cotteridge, and Cotswolds.
Cotswolds (The), a tract of very lofty land lying in the
counties of Worcester, Gloucester, and Oxford. 780 monie
quern nominant incolae mons Hwicciorum (' the hill which is
called by the inhabitants the hill of the Hwiccii'), C. S. 236 ;
964 in monte Wiccisa, C. S. 1135; 1231 Coteswold\ 150.
Cotsold, Cotsowlde, Cotfasowlde, Cotteswold, Cotlyswold, Cotes-
wolde. I have met with no earlier forms of this name, though
it is clear, from their abundance, that it was ancient, and in
familiar use. Its absence from records arises from the fact
that it had no legal status ; and though it is not to be found
in any A. S. record, it is certainly of A. S. origin. A. S.
weald, wald, wold is 'a tract of hilly ground, timbered or
bare, in a wild state.' ' The original sense may have been
" hunting ground," considered as the possession of a tribe '
(Skeat's Ety. Diet., s. Wold). This description accords with
the former condition of these hills. Cots- is certainly
a corrupt form, and I suggest represents the gen. of the
p. n. Cod or Codd, giving us an A. S. Codeswoldes, which
one would expect to become Cotswolds, d and / being
frequently interchanged. Code is recorded in D. as being
the name of a Saxon possessor. This suggestion is supported
by the etymological history of Cutsdean, of which, being
an ancient manor, the records are early, and sufficiently
abundant. This place is situate in the heart of the Cots-
wolds, and in 730 Offa, king of the Mercians, granted to the
monastery of Bredon in the province of the Hwiccii (among
other manors) certain lands ' in the hill which is called by the
44 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
natives the hill of the Hwiccii, ai Codeswellan ' (Cod's spring),
C. S. 236. Soon afterwards the monastery of Bredon passed
into the hands of the Bishop of Worcester, and in 840, at
a Witenagemot held at Tamworth, Beorhtwulf, king of the
Mercians, confirmed the before-mentioned manors and Codes-
welle to the bishop, C. S. 430. In 974 Bishop Oswald leased
Codestune (Cod's town) for three lives, C. S. 1299. The
change of terminal from welle to tune is afterwards main-
tained, similar changes frequently occurring in early times.
In 987 it is Codestune, C. D. 660, and it is Codestune in D.
Later the d becomes /, and in 1275 it is Coiestone, in the 15 c.
Coiesdon, in the 16 c. Cuddesdon. The Cod who gave his
name to Cutsdean, and as I suggest to the Cotswolds, is not
unlikely to have been a hermit or holy man who settled by
a spring in the wilds (the grant to the monastery of Bredon
rather favours the idea), or he may have been an early settler
of sufficient importance to impress his name not only on
Cutsdean (Cod's town, v. Ton), but also on the Cotswolds
(Cod's wolds).
Cotteridge Farm, in Kingsnorton. 1275 Coderugge,
S. R. ; 1321 Coderugge, Lyt. Ch. A. S. p. n. Code, and hricg,
M. E. rugge, a ridge, long, narrow hill Code's ridge. Earlier
forms might have given us the p. n. Coda, Codda. Mark
the tendency of d to become /. V. Cotheridge, Cotswolds.
Cowbach, field name in Clent, near St. Kenelm's Chapel.
It is said St. Kenelm was murdered in Cowbach, c. 820.
William of Malmesbury tells the story (p. 238, Bohn's ed.),
and says (he wrote in the 1 2 c.), ' The body of the saint is
very generally adored, and there is hardly any place in England
more venerated, or where greater number of persons attend
at the festival (Dec. 13) ; this arising from the long-continued
belief of his sanctity and the constant exhibition of his miracles.'
The meaning of the name is ' Cow valley.' V. Bach.
Cowsdown, h. and hall, \ m. S. of Upton Snodsbury.
This ancient estate is described in D., without name, under
COTTERIDGE FARM CROOME D'ABITOT 45
Snodsbury, as four hides, less one virgate, held by Urse
d'Abitot. c. 1 1 08 Colleduma (a L. record in which all the
names are severely latinized); 1275 Coulesdon (3), S. R. ;
1300 Coulsdon', 13 c. Coultsdone; 1332 Coulesdon; 16 c.
Coudesdon. The prefix represents the A. S. p. n. Cul, of
which Cula, a weak form, is recorded (u = ow). Cp.
Coulesdon, in Surrey, and Couleston, in Wilts., which have
better preserved their ancient forms. The terminal was
originally dun (down), v. Don. This is another example of
the tendency to change a name from something which has no
apparent meaning to something which has one.
Crabs Cross, h., 2\ m. S..of Redditch, at the junction of
the Ridgeway (Birmingham to Evesham) with the old road
from Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Kidderminster, and Broms-
grove to London, and a mile S. of Headless Cross (q. v.).
Probably a M. E. name from the p. n. ' Crab/ and ' cross/
from cross roads. In the S. R. of 1332 John 'Crabbe' is
assessed under Bromsgrove, which included a wide district
round it.
Cradley, 2 m. NE. of Stourbridge. D. Cradehie ; 1 2 c.
Crandelega, Cradlega, Cradelega; 1275 Cradeley. The ter-
minal is clearly ley (q. v.) untilled land used as pasture.
The prefix is corrupt. I think it represents a p. n.,
perhaps Credo. Cradley in Herefordshire is Credleaic (ley)
inD.
Craycomb, h., Craycombe Hill, in Fladbury. 1275
Craucombe, Crowecombe, S. R. A. S. crawe, crow (bird),
cumb, valley Crow valley. Perhaps in allusion to a rookery ;
rooks being commonly called crows. Cp. Crawley, in Hants
(A. S. Crawan-lea\ the crow's lea. Crowe was also a
fern. p. n.
Croome d'Abitot, 4 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Cromb,
C. S. 1281; Cromban (dat.), C. S. 1282; D. Crumbe; 1275
Crombe Dabitoth, S. R. Clearly A. S. crumb, cromb bent,
crooked, curved. There are three Croomes, Croome d'Abitot,
46 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Earls Croome, and Hill Croome, all separate manors,
so that the term can hardly be applied to any natural feature
not common to all. They all abut on Severn, here peculiarly
winding, and I think its curved course may have given rise
to the name. W. crwm, crom, I. and G. crom, have the
same meanings as the A. S. forms ; hence many place names
in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland commence Crum- or Crom-.
Crumlin, the winding glen, is a very common name in Wales
and Ireland. Cp. Cromford, Cromhall, Crompton, Cromwell,
and Croom in England. The d'Abitots came with the
Conqueror, and Urse d'Abitot is recorded in D. as holding
153 manors, including Croome. He was Sheriff of Worcester-
shire, and according to the chronicles of his day a very savage
' Bear.' He took his surname from the town of St. Jean
d'Abbetot, 12 m. E. of Havre. His heir was an only
daughter, who married a Beauchamp. It is curious to note
the equanimity with which men accepted uncomplimentary
nicknames. ' William the Ass ' is gravely recorded in D. as
a tenant in capite. Osbert and John de Abbetot were living
here in 1275, an d were assessed to the Subsidy.
Croome (Earls), 4^ m. SW. of Pershore. 969 Cromman,
Croman, Cromban (dat. forms); D. Crumbe; 1275 Crombe
Simon, S. R. ; 16 c. Cromb-Symonds, otherwise Earls Croomb.
Simone de Crombe was living here in 1275; his family
owned the manor ; he was followed by the Earls of Warwick.
For Croome, v. Croome d'Abitot.
Croome (Hill), 6 m. SW. of Pershore. 1038 Hylcromban
(dat.), C. D. 760; D. Hilcrumbe. A. S. hyll, hill; for
Croome, v . Croome d'Abitot.
Cropthorne, 3 m. SE. of Pershore. 780 Cropponthorn,
Croppethorne, C. S. 235; 841 Croppanthorn, C. S. 432; 964
Croppethorne, C. S. 1135; D. Cropeiorn. The charter of
780 describes Cropthorne as regalem vicum\ the charter of
841 was written and signed at Cropthorne by Berhtwulf,
king of the Mercians, on Christmas Day, his queen Ssethryth
CROOME (EARLS) CROWLE 47
and many notables being also present and parties to the
charter. It seems therefore that Cropthorne at a very early
period was a royal residence. The meaning is plainly
Croppa's thorn (Croppanthorne being the gen.), probably
because Croppa's land was bounded by some notable thorn,
a common boundary. In a perambulation of the manor
(Nash, i. 271, apparently 17 c.) 'a great bush on the top of
the fields dividing Cropthorne and Charlton ' is stated to be
the boundary.
Cross in Hand, Cross o' th' Hand, a frequent name for
cross or diverging roads. It has its origin in a finger-post,
which somewhat resembles a cross. 1762 Foote, Orator, i,
'A cross in the hands with letters to direct you on your
road/ 1771 Maid of B., 'Pushing forth his fingers like
a cross in the hand to point out the different roads on a
common.'
Crowfleld Farm, 2 m. NW. of Bromsgrove. 1275
Crowefelde, S. R. ; 1327 Croufelde, S. R. Crow field, perhaps
from a rookery, rooks being frequently called crows.
Crowle, 5 m. E. of Worcester. 831 Croglea, C. S. 416 ;
840 Crohlea, C. S. 428; D. Croelat, Crohlea; 1275 Crowele,
S. R. The prefix is A. S. croh, commonly translated ' saffron,'
but I am not sure it should not be ' crocus/ from which bulb
saffron was produced (Gk. KPOKOS means saffron). In the
charter of 840 Crohwell (spring) is mentioned, probably
because the crocus grew freely there. By 1332 Crohwell
appears to have become Crocuswell, as Richard de Croccuswell
is recorded in the S. R. for that year as residing at Crowle.
I translate this as the lea (or field) of the crocus (or saffron).
Saffron was anciently much in request for medicinal, colouring,
and flavouring purposes. The plant which produces saffron
(Crocus sativus) is frequently called saffron. ('The A. S.
croh is nothing but the L. crocus done into English spell-
ing: not a Teutonic word, but Greek, perhaps Eastern/
Skeat.)
48 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Crownest, h., 2 m. W. of Worcester. 1275 Crowenest,
S. R.; 1327 Crowenest, S. R. ; 1332 Crowenest, S. R. ;
plainly 'Crow's nest.' Nash, ii. 311, says, ' Crowneast, now
vulgarly called Crow's nest.' The early forms show that he
was wrong, and the ' vulgar ' were right.
Cruckbarrow Hill, Cruckbarrow Farm (moated), 2 m.
SE. of Worcester. 1275 Cruckberew, Crokeborow, Croke-
berew, S. R. ; 140. Cruckeberwe, Crokkeberewe. The prefix
is O. W. cruc, later crug, a mound tumulus + M. E. berewe
(v. Barrow), which has a similar meaning, and would be
added when the meaning of cruc had been forgotten. A pi.
name composed of two languages is exceptional, but there
are many examples, as also of pleonasms ; cp. Tor-pen-how,
hill, hill, hill.
Crumfleld, h., in Bentley Pauncefote, 2 m. SW. of
Redditch. Assuming the modern form to be correct, this
should be construed 'crooked field' (v. Croome d'Abitot,
and Field).
Cru ndels Farm, i m. N. of Bewdley ; Crundles Farm, in
Wichenford; Upper and Lower Crundel End, in Stockton ;
Upper Crundel Farm, in Abberley. Crundel is an A. S. word
the meaning of which has long been doubtful; it is now
settled as ' a ravine, a strip of covert dividing open country,
always in a dip, usually with running water,' E. D. D. The
word is found in over sixty charters, on manorial boun-
daries.
Crutch, h., and Crutch Hill, in Hampton Lovet, 2 m. N.
of Droitwich. 12 c. Cruche; 1275 Cruch, Cruche, Cruce,
S. R. ; belonged anciently to the nunnery of Westwood.
M. E. cruche, crouche, a cross. The nuns probably set up
here a wayside cross.
Cudeley, h., in Spetchley, 2 m. E. of Worcester. 974
Cudinclea, C. S. 1298; D. Cudelei; 1275 Cuddeley, Codeley,
S. R. Cudd was an A. S. p. n., and this is Cudd's lea
(v. Ley). The inc in the first form must be read ing, and is
CROWNEST DEADMANS AIT 49
patronymic (v. Ing); it seems to have dropped out by D.
The construction of that form is ' the lea of the sons
(descendants) of Cudd,' still a family name.
Cutlers Bough, in Frankley. A family of Cur/tier,
Cur/ekr, Curtilar lived in Frankley and are frequent witnesses
to local deeds in the isth and i4th centuries (Lyt. Ch.).
The original name is ' le Curtiler,' which means ' the Gar-
dener.'
Cutsdeau, 5 m. NE. of Winchcombe. I have dealt with
this under the ' Cotswolds' (q.v.).
Darlmgscot, h., in Tredington, nr. Shipston-on-Stour.
13 c. Darlingscote. Clearly 'Darling's cot.' The hamlet is
probably of M. E. origin, as ' Darling ' does not appear as
a p. n. before the 13 c., though the word itself (deor-ling)
is A. S.
Dawshill, in Powick. John Dawe was living in Powick
in 1275, S. R. He, or his family, may have given the name,
or derived it.
Dayhouse Bank, h., Dayhouse Wood, in Romsley,
Halesowen. Deyhouse is an obs. local word for a dairy, and
Dey for a dairy-maid (or -man) ; v. H. E. D. and E. D. D.
s. Dey. ' Deye ' was the name of a family, witnesses or
parties to many Halesowen charters in the 14 and 15 c.
(Lyt. Ch.).
Daylesford, 3^ m. E. of Stow-on-the-Wold. 718 Dagks-
ford, C. S. 139; 777 Deilesford, C. S. 222 ; 841 Doegles-
ford, C. S. 436; 964 DceiglcBsford, C. S. 1135; 978
DcBglesforde, C. D. 623 ; D. Eilesford (the D. scribe,
or copyist, has evidently omitted the D); 1275 Dayles-
ford, S. R. A. S. p. n. Dcegl (Dayl) Daegl's ford; v.
Ford.
Deadmans Ait, in Offenham, almost an island in Avon.
Ait is an old English word for a small island. There are
several aits or eyots on the Thames.
E
50 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Dean Brook, Himbleton. 956 Dene, C. S. 937. I doubt
if this name is A. S. ; it can hardly be a form of A. S.
denu, a valley. It may be Celtic ; there are three streams
in Scotland named Dean (G. deann, swift, impetuous).
There is a stream in Ireland, Deenagh, which Joyce (Irish
Names of Places, 2nd S. 443) translates ' strong, vehement,'
the stream being subject to floods.
Defford, 3 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Deopford, C. S. 1281 ;
972 Deopanforda (dat.), C. S. 1282 ; D. Depeford. A. S. deop
ford deep ford. The village lies in a half circle of the
Avon.
Digbeth Farm, in Northfield. Cp. Digbeth, street in
Walsall, Digbeth in Birminghan, and Digbeth in Coventry.
Supposed to be a corrupt form of dike path. Digbeth, in
Walsall, is situate close to the bank of the ancient pool of
the Lord's mill. The other Digbeths are in low-lying
situations. Dike (A. S. die] means a ditch, also an embank-
ment, and may include both. V. Ditchford.
Ditchford, h., in Blockley, 3 m. N. of Moreton Henmarsh.
1046 Dicford, C. D. 804; D. Dic/ord. A. S. die ford the
ford of the dike or ditch (v. Ford). The pronunciation of
die would be dike, dyche, and ditch, according to case and
time. V. Digbeth.
Doddenhill, h., in Lindridge (i m. NW. of). 1275
Doddenhull (3), S. R. ; 130. DodenhulL The n points to the
gen. of the A. S. p. n. Dodda Dodda's hill (M. E. hull). V.
Dodenham.
Dodderhill, i m. NW. of Droitwich. 12 and 13 c.
Doderhull, Duderhull, Duderhul. Dodder (M. E. doder] is
a provincial name for certain choking or climbing weeds,
such as Cuscuta, Spergula arvensis, Polygonum convolvulus,
&c. Though not admitted into A. S. dictionaries, it is
probably an A. S. word, as we find it here used in a popular
sense in the 12 c. ; otherwise we do not find it in our
language before 1265. The name doubtless arises from the
DEAN BROOK DORDALE FARM 51
locality, or some part of it, being infested by these weeds.
The terminal hull is the M. E. form for hill. Many
ancient words enshrined in pi. names are not recognized
as A. S.
Dodderhill, in Hanbury. No early forms. V. Dodderhill,
ante.
Doddingtree Hundred. D. Dodintrel, frequently. The
D. -tret represents an A. S. ire, tree. The original form
would be Doddantre Dodda's tree, in allusion, probably,
to some remarkable tree near his house, or bounding his
property. Hundreds frequently take their names from trees,
under or near which their courts were held. V. Dodford.
Dodenham, 7 m. W. of Worcester. D. Dodeham; 1275
Dudeham, S. R. Doda, Dodda, Duda, Dudda, Dudde
are variants of an A. S. p. n. ; and Dode is recorded in D.
Assuming the name to be Doda, the n would form the gen.
and give us ' the home of Doda ' (v. Ham). Sometimes
pronunciation preserves the right form of a name when its
records are corrupt. V. Doddenhill.
Dodford, h., 2 m. NW. of Bromsgrove. 985 Doddanford,
C. D. 651 ; 13 c. Doddeford. The early form is correct, and
gives us the A. S. p. n. Dodda Dodda's ford ; v. Dodenham,
and Ford. A priory was founded here, c. 1184, as a cell to
Hales Abbey, vestiges of which remain.
Don, a common terminal, from dun, dune, a mountain,
hill, 'down.' In Worcestershire pi. names it may usually
be translated ' hill/ the county having no mountains and few
downs. In M. E. it appears as dune, doune, doun* Dun is
a common word in Celtic languages, whence the A. S.
borrowed it.
Dordale Farm, Dordale Green, Dordale Brook, in
Bellbroughton, on the head waters of the Doverdale river.
In 1275 William le Dur was assessed to the subsidy. Two
streams unite here. The prefix is a form of W. dw/r, dwr,
water water dale. V. Doverdale.
E 2
52 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Dormston, 7| m. SE. of Droitwich. 972 Deormodes-
eald-tune (Deormod's old town), C. S. 1281 ; D. Dormestun.
The shortening of the name between 972 and 1086, the date
of D., is remarkable.
Dorn, h., in Blockley. 964 Dorene, C. S. 1135; 964
Dome, C. S. 1134 ; 1275 Dome, S. R. This is not an A. S.
word, and is probably Celtic. There are several pi. names in
Scotland commencing Dorn-, but none in England. I can-
not deal with the meaning. Roman remains have been
found here (O. M. 6 in.), and the Fossway (Exeter to
Lincoln) passes through the manor.
Doverdale, 3^ m. NW. of Droitwich. 706 Dourdale,
Dourdczles, C. S. 116; 817 Doferda>l, C. S. 360, 361 ; D.
Lunvredele. The Lun- in D. form is a plain blunder of the
scribe or copyist, and may be disregarded. Dover is C., and
represents O. W. dwfr, I. and G. dobhar (bh = v), Cor. dofer
water. One may imagine a Briton and a Saxon trying to
converse, and the Saxon inquiring, in his way, the name of
a particular stream, is imperfectly understood ; the Briton
replies ' dwfr ' (water), which the Saxon accepts as the ' name.'
Hence the number of rivers and hills with Celtic names, to
which the Saxons often added a word of their own. The
terminal is A. S. dcel, a dale, valley, giving us literally ' the
valley of the water.' The name is borne not only by the
locality, but by the stream which flows through it, a tribu-
tary of the Salwarp. Cp. Dover (A. S. Dofer], Wendover
( Wcendo/re}.
Drakelow, h., in Wolverley, is probably of A. S. origin,
as the locality was well settled in early times. The absence
of forms may be supplied from Drakelow in Derbyshire,
which we find in 942 / Dracan hlawen at the Dragon's
low (v . Low) ; and there can be no doubt that is the con-
struction here. The A. S. were firm believers in demons,
and spirits evil and good. In the Poem of Beowulf
(supposed to have been written in the 8th c., describing
DORMS TON DROITWICH 53
events in the 6th), Beowulf goes to the earth-cave to seek
the Dragon, also termed the ' Serpent ' (wyrm), and ' Fire-
Drake ' (fyr draco), who guards the buried treasures. After
a fierce encounter both are slain. Shugborough (Stafford-
shire) and Shuckburgh (Warwickshire) mean ' the demon's
hill,' or burial mound (A. S. scucca (sc sh), a demon,
evil spirit).
Drakes Broughton, v. Broughton.
Draycot, h., in Blockley. 1275 Draycote, S. R. There
are over a hundred Draytons or Draycots in England, and
yet the meaning of Dray- has never been settled. In all
A. S. charters (and they are numerous) the form is dr&g-
(g =_y). Now drcege is a drag, a drag-net, but ' the town,
or cot, of the drag-net ' seems an unlikely name for over
a hundred places. Professor Skeat suggests that the root is
A. S. (ge)dr<zg, which the dictionaries render ' a band, multi-
tude/ but which is supposed to appear in modern garb as
Dray, a squirrel's nest, also meaning, it is suggested, a retreat,
nook, home; v. Skeat's Place-Names of Cambridgeshire,
s. Drayton. I think the subject wants more light, but where
is it to come from ? It is noteworthy that, with one excep-
tion, the only terminals found in connexion with Dray- are
ton and cot.
Draycot, h., in Kempsey, and on Severn. 1253 Dray-
cote. V. Draycot, ante.
Drayton, h., in and 2 m. NE. of Chaddesley Corbett.
1275 Drayton, S. R. V. Draycot.
Drinkers End, h., in Eldersfield (i\ m. SE. of). In the
S. R. for 1327 Walter ' le Drynkar ' was assessed at i2d., sub
Eldersfield. He has probably bequeathed his name to this
place. V. End.
Droitwich. 716 in wico emptoris salts quern nos Saltwich
vocamus ('in the place for the sale of salt which we call
Saltwich'), C. S. 138; 888 Saltwic. A Witan (parliament)
sat at Droitwich in this year, King Ethelred being present,
54 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
C. S. 557 ; 1017 Sealtwic,C."D. 1313; D. Wich, twenty-four
times, once Wiche, once Wic; 12 c. Wich', 1347 le Dryght-
wych; 1469 Deriwyche. ' Wich,' as here used, is quite
another word to A. S. wic, wtce (v. Wich), a dwelling,
village, &c., and belongs to some other language, meaning
a brine-spring. All salt-towns appear to end in wich ;
NantzwV-/^, MiddlewtcA, Northwt'ck, in Cheshire, and Shirley-
wich in Staffordshire, are examples. Professor Skeat is of
opinion that it is Norse, from vik, a (small salt) creek or
bay, and that the transition in sense from ' salt bay ' to
'brine pit' is easy. That is the best explanation known
to me, yet I wonder how a Norse word could have found its
way into Worcestershire by the early part of the 8th c.
As to Droit, Nash says it was not used till after Edward Ill's
time, and I find it first on record in the twenty-first
year of his reign. The meaning is very clear ; it is an
O. F. word applied, in finance, to ' a tax or custom duty '
(Diet. Hist, of O. F. s. Droict and Droit). Now the A. S.
kings derived a considerable revenue from Droitwich. D.
tells us that Edward the Confessor used to have fifty-two
pounds, and Earl Eadwine twenty-four pounds (more than
2,000 a year in present value) from the saltworks. King
John agreed with the burgesses to take 100 a year from
them, and this fee-farm rent got into the hands of private
individuals, and is referred to in the I. P. M. centuries after
John's days. The name 'Droit' was therefore appro-
priately conferred at a time when the necessity for distinctive
names to be added to common ones became apparent.
Its addition in Norman-French is not surprising, as it must
be remembered that for about a hundred and fifty years
prior to 1366 it was the language of our legal proceedings
and Acts of Parliament. I therefore construe Droitwich as
' the salt toWn on which a special tax or customs duty was
levied.'
Dudley. D. (1086) is the first record we have of Dudley,
DUDLEY DUNHAMPSTEAD 55
though it must have been an important manor long before
the Conquest. We there find it Dudelei\ 13 c. Duddelie ;
1275 Duddleye, S. R. Dudda was a common A. S. p. n., and
historians, as usual, do not hesitate to say that the man
who gave his name to Dudley was an ' Earl,' ' Duke/ &c. ;
but it is nonsense. There were princes and dukes of the
name, and also monks, abbots, and boors. No one will ever
know who Dudda was, but he certainly once lived, and
Dudley was his lea land. V. Ley.
Dumbleton, h., in Lindridge. 1327 Dumbleton, S. R.
Dumble is a dialectic word, of uncertain origin, meaning
a shady dell or hollow, a dingle ; it is probably M. E., as it
is not found in our literature before 1589, nor in any A. S.
charter ; but the form is too late to rely upon. Dumbleton,
in Gloucestershire, appears in loth c. charters as Dumollon,
Dumeltan, Dumoltan, Dumbeltun, and Dumeltun ; and in D.
as Dubintone and Dunbenlone. But even these forms give
little assistance, being too corrupt to identify. ('Perhaps
Domwulfes-tun, Domwulf s town ; the o would give mod.
English u, w would drop before u, and f be lost between
/ and s.' Skeat.)
Dunclent, 3 m. E. of Kidderminster. D. Dunclent;
always Dunclent. For the terminal, v. Clent. Dun is (in
England) more frequently found as a terminal than as
a prefix ; in Ireland and Scotland (the word being Celtic as
well as A. S.) it is a common prefix. It bears the same
interpretation, whether prefix or terminal, and Dunclent
must be construed Hill Clent, which looks like a pleonasm
(v. Clent). The locality is somewhat hilly, and lies about
5 m. SW. of the Clent hills, which rise much higher. It is
not unlikely that dun may here be used in the sense of
' down.'
Dunhampstead, h., in Himbleton, 2^ m. SE. of Droit-
wich. 814 Dunhamstyde, C. S. 349; 972 Dunhamstede (3),
C. D. 260, 680; 1275 Donhamshide, S. R. ; 1327 Donam-
56 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
stude, S. R. The first form is quite correct, and means
' Hill-home-stead ' (v. Don and Ham).
Dunhampton, h., in Ombersley (2 m. N. of). 1275
Dunhamptone, Dunhamtone, S. R. Hill-home-town. The p
is excrescent, the effect of accent falling on the m (v. Don,
Ham, and Ton).
Dunley, h., in Arley Kings. Accepting present form,
' Hill lea ' (v. Don and Ley).
Dunstall Farm (moated), Dunstall Common, in Earls
Croome. All Dunstalls are corrupt forms of A. S. tun-steall,
an enclosed farmstead or cattle-yard; / and d frequently
interchange.
Dur Bridge, Durbridge Mill, Dur Bridge Farm, in
Redmarley d'Abitot. This looks like a survival of the W.
word dwr, water ; v. Doverdale.
Durrance, h., in Upton Warren. I think this is a p. n.
In 1275 Robt. Duran (recte Durand) was living in Hanbury,
the adjoining manor. Durand's would readily pass into
' Durance.' Durand was an A. S. name.
Eardiston, h., in Lindridge. 1 1 c. Eardulfstune, C. D.
95 2 j 957 Eardufeshm, C. S. 1007; D. Ardohestone.
Eardwulf was an A. S. p. n., and this is 'Eardwulf's town'
(v. Ton).
Earls Croome, v. Croome (Earls).
Easinghope, h., in Doddenham. 1275 Estghop', S. R. ;
1327 Esynghope. The terminal is hope (q.v.), a valley.
The prefix represents the A. S. p. n. Ese, Esi, and the ing
may be possessive or patronymic. It may be construed ' the
valley of Ese' or ' the valley of the descendants of Ese '
(v. Ing). We have eight Easingtons, and an Easingwold, in
England.
Easington Hall, in Longdon. 1327 Estynion, S. R.
(At this time five families appear to have lived here.) 1 8 c.
Estington, Nash, ii. 107. The forms are late, but show the
DUNHAMPTON El 57
modern form to be corrupt. An A. S. Eastinga-tun the town
of the sons of Easton appears the most likely interpretation.
Eastbury, h., in Hallow, 2 m. NW. of Worcester. 1 1 c.
Earesbyrt'g, Hem. 257 ; D. Eresbyrie; 1275 Esbury (3), S.R.;
1347 Esebury; 18 c. Estbury. The terminal in the forms is
the dat. of A. S. burh, an enclosed or fortified place; the
prefix is a short form of some A. S. p. n., perhaps Erefrith
or Erewine; but with the materials Eastbury can only be
construed as Ere's burh (v. Bury).
Eastham, 4 m. NE. of Tenbury. D. Estham; n c.
Eastham, Hem. 251; 1275 Estham, S. R. A. S. east, est,
and ham East home (or village) (v. Ham).
Eckington, 3^ m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Eccyncgtune,
C. S. 1281; D. Aichintune; 14 c. Ekinglon, Ekynton. The
first form points to an original Eccinga-tun, ' the town of the
descendants of Ecca ' (v. Ing and Ton).
Edvin Loach, 12 m. NW. of Worcester. D. Edeveni;
1327 Yedefen, S. R.; 18 c. Fed/en, Yedefen Loges. The 'de
Loges ' family held the manor in the 1 3 c., hence ' Loach.'
The forms are corrupt, and their meaning can only be guessed.
The D. Edevent is probably the nearest approach to the root,
and it may represent the A. S. fern. p. n. Eadgtfu, which D.
always records as Edeva or Eddeva; the D. v certainly
represents an A. S./i A pi. name composed of a p. n. only
(i. e. without a suffix) is, however, excessively rare.
Egdon, h., in Stoulton. A probable original form would
be Ecgan-dun, Ecga's hill ; v. Don. The tendency is always
to brevity. Bescot, in Staffs., is all that is left of an original
Beorhtmundescot. V. Egeoke.
Egeoke, three farms so named in Inkberrow (2 m.
NE. of). 14 c. Eggeoke; 1332 Edgok; 1327 Eghoke, S. R. ;
17 c. Egtoke, Egiock. The forms are all M. E., and
apparently represent an A. S. Ecgan-ac Ecga's oak. The
place gave name to an old Worcestershire family. V. Egdon.
Ei, Eie, v. Ey.
58 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Ellbury Hill, i\ m. NE. of Worcester, in Claines (old
fort). 1 6 c. Elbury hill; 1646 Eldbury. The forms are
too late to be trusted, and conflict. If Eld- is accepted it
might be a M. E. form of A. S. eald, old Old burn (v.
Bury).
Eldersfleld, 7| m. SW. of Upton-on-Severn. 972 Yldres
felde, C. S. 1282; D. Edresfelk; 1275 Eldresfelde, S. R.
A. S.yldre, elder Elder's field (v. Field). 'Elders' is here
used in the sense of ' elders of some ancient community.'
It was not an A. S. p. n.
Elmbridge, h., 3^ m. N. of Droitwich. D. Elmerige;
13 c. Elmrugge, Elmbrugge; 1275 Elmbrugge, Elmerigge,
S. R.; 1327 Elmbrug\ S. R. The original form would
be Elmehrtcg, M. E. Elmrugge Elmridge, probably from a
ridge of hilly land studded with elms. The b is excrescent.
Elmley Castle, 4 m. SE. of Pershore. 764 Elmlceh,
Elmlea, C. D. 1042 ; 780 Elmlege, C. S. 235 ; 1275 Elmeleye,
S. R. ; 1327 Castel Elmeleye, S. R. ' the Elm lea ' (v. Ley).
There was an early Norman castle here, destroyed after the
attainder of the Earl of Warwick, 1471.
Elmley Lovett, 4 m. NW. of Droitwich. 780 Elmlege,
C. S. 235; 1042 Elmleah, C. D. 764; D. jElmkia; 1327
Elmele Lwet 'the Elm lea' (v. Ley). The Lovets were
early Norman lords of the manor.
End, A. S. ende, has a variety of meanings, but in pi.
names it means ' an extremity, place, or locality,' equivalent
to slow, as in East end, West end, South end, world's
end, the ends of the earth, &c. The use of the word in the
sense indicated is very ancient (v. Bernes ende, C. S. 356,
a. 8 1 6).
Evenlode, 3 m. NE. of Stow-on-the-Wold. 772 Euulange-
lade, C. S. 209; 772 Eulangelade, C. S. 210; Eunlangeladoe,
Eowlangelad, C. S. 297; 777 Eunlade, C. S. 222; 969
Eowlangelade, Eowlangelade, C. S. 1238; ~D. Euntlade; 1327
Evenlode, S. R. Evenlode is mentioned in several other A. S.
ELBURY HILL EVESHAM 59
charters with an equal variety of spelling. The forms appear
to conflict, but they are really consistent. There are two
stems Eowlan (gen. of Eoweld) and geldde, later lade, a ford
or ferry Eowela's ford. V. Evenlode River.
Evenlode Biver, tributary of the Thames. The ancient
name was Bladaen, Bladene, Blczdene, C. S. 139, 210, 222,
and C. D. 623 (a. 718-979). Bledington, 4 m. SE. of Stow-
on-the-Wold, and Bladon, 2 m. S. of Woodstock, being
on its course, derive their names from it. It is probably
a Celtic word, and I cannot interpret it. The change to
Evenlode commenced in the tenth century, the manor of
that name being on its head waters. Small rivers frequently
change their names, great ones never.
Evesham. 709 Homme, Eveshomme, C. S. 124; 709
Homme, Cronochomme ; 714 Homme, Eouesham, C. S. 130;
716 Cronuchhomme, C. S. 138; 854 Ecguines hamme, C. S.
482 (Ecgwine was first Abbot of Evesham, and third Bishop
of Worcester, 693-717); 860 Cronuchamme, C. S. 511;
afterwards Eofeshamme, Eoveshame, and similar forms in
numerous other charters; D. Eovesham. The terminal
hamme, homme, I construe as 'riverside meadow land.'
I cannot justify this by our A. S. dictionaries, but certainly
that was the meaning in Worcestershire, such lands on
Severn and Avon being called ' hams ' to this day, especially
at the bend of a river, and Evesham is almost enclosed by
the Avon ; v. H. E. D. s. Ham, sb? Cronuc-, evidently the
ancient name, I can make nothing of; it is probably Celtic.
Eof, who gave name to Evesham, was Bishop Ecgwine's
herdsman, and Ecgwine tells us (C. S. 130) that the Virgin
first appeared to Eof, and afterwards to himself, with two
maidens attending her, and holding a book ; which Ecgwine
construed into a command to erect a monastery on the spot.
It is curious that Pope Constantine, in his letter authorizing
the foundation of the Abbey (C. S. 129), says nothing about
the appearance of the Virgin. The monastery however was
60 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
built, and well endowed by pious kings, and the locality,
after some fluctuations, settled down to Eofeshamme. The
A. S. had no v, that letter being introduced by the
Normans.
Ey, Eye, Ei, Eie, are M. E. or late forms of A. S. ig, an
island, and are common terminals ; but the word meant
originally (a) land completely surrounded by water, (3)
almost surrounded, (c) land begirt by marsh, or subject to
flood ; and it is mainly found in pi. n. under b and c. Great
care is required to distinguish the late forms from A. S. ea,
running water, stream; and it is sometimes impossible to do so.
(' O. Merc, eg, A. S. ig, wg,yg ; the O. Merc, eg is early. It
is a derivative, with mutation, of ea, stream ; as the umlaut
of A. S. ea is A. S. u. The added -g is a mere -y ; whence
M. E. ey: Skeat.)
Eymore Wood, 4 m. NW. of Kidderminster. This is
a great wood, approximately a mile square, bounded on the
W. by the Severn, which here contains an island. I think the
prefix is A. S. tg, iege (g=y), M. E. eye, ey, an island, and
mor, a moor (v. More) Island moor. Eymore Farm adjoin-
ing is moated. I think the ancient name of this wood was
Moerheb, A charter of 736, C. S. 154, relating to 'the pro-
vince of old called Husmere ' (v. Ismere), says (translated):
' The abovesaid estate is round about the river (Stour) on both
sides, having on the northern side the wood called Cynibre
(Kinver Forest), and on the west another wood called Moerheb.'
This description quite accords with Eymore Wood. It must
be remembered that the old meaning of wood was ' land in
a wild state,' not necessarily timbered. Moerheb is probably
a Celtic word in corrupt form ; I do not know its meaning,
but Moer- may represent the -more of Eymore.
Fairfield, h., Fairfleld Court (moated), in Bellbroughton
(2 m. E. of;. 816 For/eld, C. S. 360; 1275 Forfelde, S. R.
A. S. for, fore (in front of) Fore field (v. Ton). Many
EY FELL MILL FARM 6 1
places are named after their situations in relation to other
places; v. Norton, Sutton, Aston, Weston, Overton, Netherton,
Otherton. We have five ' Fortons ' in England. Cp. Fore
Street, London, E. C., and Abbey Foregate in Shrews-
bury.
Parley Farm, Great Parley Wood, Little Parley
Wood, in Romsley, Halesowen. 1415 Farley Grange, Lyt.
Ch . ; belonged to the Abbey of Halesowen. Earlier forms would
probably give us Fearnleah (pron. Farnley). This is the
root of all Parleys I have been able to trace. The n would
have a tendency to drop out ; but it survives in ' Farnley,' of
which we have several examples. I do not doubt the meaning
is ' Fern lea ' (v. Ley, and Grange).
Fastochesfelde, an unrecognized D. berewick (outlying
farm) of the manor of Kidderminster. Fastoch may represent
the unrecorded masc. p. n. Fastuc, gen. Fastuces, formed by
means of the diminutive or pet suffix -uc, from Fees/-,
a recorded name-forming stem, familiar in Fastolf (whence
Falstaff), earlier Fcestwulf; felde field (q. v.).
Peckenham, 7 m. SE. of Droitwich. 804 Feccanhom, C. S.
3 X 3)' 957 Feccanham,C.S. 1006; ~D.Fecheham; iz^j^Fekken-
ham, S. R. Fecca was an A. S. p. n., of which Feccan would be
the gen. A variant form would be Fec(c), gen. Fecces. Hence
in A. S. charters we find Feccanham, ' the home of Fecca,'
and Fecces-wudu, Fec(c)'s wood. The name appears in
D. as Feche (ch = k), Fech, and Feg. The terminal horn, in
the first form, gives us ' the meadow land of Fecca,' and
I have no doubt that is the correct form and construction.
V. Ham.
Feld, Felt, v. Field.
Feldon Lane, in Warley-Wigorn. Felden, Feldon is
a M. E. word (dat. pi. of feld], meaning 'field land, open
country,' as opposed to woodland. V. Field.
Fell Mill Farm, in Shipston-on-Stour, on the Stour river.
A fell-mill is a mill where the business of a fellmonger is, or
62 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
has been, carried on. A fellmonger is a dealer in hides or
skins with the hair or wool on.
Fepston, h., in Himbleton. 956 Fepsefnatune, C. S. 937 ;
D. Fepsetenatun ; 1108 Fepsintune; 1275 Fepsintone, S. R.
Commonly spelt ' Phepson,' but ph was not used in O, E.
The setena may be rejected; it represents the gen. pi. of
satan, settlers, from sittan, to sit, settle down ; it is often
introduced into pi. names in A. S. charters, but wore away
by phonetic decay. I cannot translate Fep-; it has no
meaning in A. S., and, I think, represents a p. n., though
I cannot find one anything like it. It is curious that there is
no word in O. E. or Mod. E., or any pi. n., commencing
Fep- or Phep-, except this place.
Ferdstraete. Up to cynges ferdstrate (fyrdstrcete) (king's
military way) is the name given to the road from Stow-on-
the-Wold to the Rollright Stones, Banbury and Chipping
Norton, passing through Daylesford, C. D. 623. The same
road, in its passage through Addlestrop, adjoining Daylesford,
is called ' ad regiam stratam de Norhampton,' the king's
street to Northampton, via Banbury, and a well-known road
called Banbury Lane leading to Northampton, via Fosters
Booth, C. D. 13.
Fernhill Heath, h., 4m. NE. of Worcester. 1275 Fern-
hull (3), S. R. A common name, doubtless from the growth
of fern in the locality. A. S. fearn, and hyl, M. E. hull.
Field, Feld, Felt, common terminals from A. S.feld,
a field ; in pi. names not an enclosure as we now understand
it, but a plain, open, unenclosed country, as opposed to wood-
land ; an expanse.
Finstall, h., in Bromsgrove. 14 c. Fynchak. Finch,
Fynch is not recorded as an A. S. p. n., but it became a family
name in the 13 c. The prefix may represent the name, or
the ,bird, A. S.finc (c = cK); the terminal may be construed
' meadows.'
Fladbury, 3 m. E. of Pershore. 691 Fledanburg, C. S.
FEPSTON FOCKBURY 63
76 ; 714 Fladeburi, C. S. 131 ; 778 Flczdanbyrg, C. S. 238;
780 Fledanburh, C. S. 235 ; 821 Fledanburh^ Fledanbyrig,
C. S. 368; D. Fledebirie\ 1108 Fledebyri. (' Fledan repre-
sents the gen. of a masc. weak form Flceda, pet form of the
p. n. Fl&d-beorht, the only recorded name beginning with
Flad-1 Skeat.) This is therefore Flsed's, or Flsedbeorht's,
burh; v. Bury. Nicknames, pet and short names, were
common with the A. S. The charters of 691 and 714 refer
to a monastery here.
Flavell Flyford, 6| m. NE. of Pershore. 930 Fleferth,
C. D. 346; 972 Flaferth, C. D. 570; 1002 Fleferht, C. D.
1295; not in D. ; 12 c. Flavel] 13 c. Flavell] 14 c.
Flavell, Flavel, Fief or d, Fleyford; 15 c. Flauell (u = v);
1 6 c. Flyford, Fief or d, Flyford Flavell (three times) ; 17 c.
Fleforth, Fhford, Flyford, Flyvord, Flyford Flavell (fre-
quently) ; 1 8 c. Flaford, Flyford Flavell. The forms show
that ' Flavell ' and ' Flyford ' both represent the A. S. forms,
and are pleonasms. In the 16 c., being evidently puzzled
by the varying forms, the scribes unite the two common
ones hence the double name with one meaning. But the
charters of 930, 972, and 1002 are only late copies, and
their forms, as written, have no meaning in A. S. The
prefixes look like a p. n. commencing Flced- (v. Fladbury),
and the terminals may represent A. S./ord (q. v.), but it is
'guess,' and the later forms do not help. Nash, i. 455,
says : ' It (Flavell) . . . hath lately had the additional name of
Flyford, from the brook which giveth name to Grafton
Flyvord/ the adjoining manor ; but he is wrong, as ' Flyford
Flavell ' was so written two hundred years before his time,
and the stream between the two manors was, and is, the
' Piddle/ q. v.
Fockbury, h., i m. NW. of Bromsgrove. D. Focheberie ;
1300 Fokbury. The forms point to an A. S. p. n. Focca,
not recorded, but probably a late form of Focga, a known
name. I read it ' Focga, or Focca's, burh! V. Bury.
64 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Ford, a common terminal, from A. S. ford, a road or
passage through a stream, irrespective of its size. In A. S.
charters a road to a man's house which crosses a rivulet is
frequently called So-and-So's ' ford.'
Foreign, v. Borough.
Forhill, h., Forhill Ash, and Forhill Farm, in Kings-
norton (S. of). The prefix is probably Fore ' in front of '
(v. Fairfield), but without early forms the construction can
only be guess.
Fossway (The), Roman road from Exeter to Lincoln, via
Bath, Cirencester, Moreton-Henmarsh, High Cross, Leicester,
and Newark, is mentioned in numerous A. S. charters as
Fos and Foss. These words are not generally admitted
into A. S. dictionaries, though repeatedly found in charters
in connexion with this road ; they were borrowed from
L. fossa. The road was probably so named in allusion to
the fosses or ditches on the sides, as customary in Roman
ways.
Four Shire Stone, i\ m. E. of Moreton-Henmarsh,
marking the bounds of the counties of Worcester, Gloucester,
Warwick, and Oxford. The locality is mentioned in C. S.
1238, a. 969 (translated), 'From Gild beorh along Salt Street
to the stone, from the stone to the second stone, thence also
to the third stone, and to the fourth stone.' There is now
only a modern four-sided pillar, nine feet high, marking the
boundary. Gildbeorh (now I think unknown) is recorded in
D. as Ildeberga ; the / arises, as elsewhere in D., from the
absorption of the semi-vowel y, represented by the G, into
the following vowel. About noo it is mentioned as Gildene
beorh, and as the scene of a ' gemot ' and court of the four
shires.
Four Stones (The), on Clent Hills. These are said to
have been set up by George, Lord Lyttelton, before 1773, in
imitation of a Druidical monument. They came out of a
quarry in Hagley Park (Amphlett's Hist, of Clent, 164).
FORD FRANKLEY 65
Foxcote, h., in Oldswinford. 1275 Foxcote, S. R. Fox
cot. Cote is here used in the sense of cover or hole ; cp.
Sheep-cote. It is a common name often appearing as Foscott.
Fox was not an A. S. p. n. It became a family name in the
13 c., originally a nickname.
Fox Hollies, f., in Yardley. 1275 Adam atte Holies ;
1327 Rich* de Holies, S. R. Holies is a M. E. pi. form of
1 holly.' ' Fox ' seems to be a modern addition.
Fox Lydiate, h., 2 m. W. of Redditch. 1300 'and thence
to Fox huntleyyates, and along Fox huntwey, commonly called
Rugwey, to Smethhedley' (Per. of Feckenham Forest) ; 1377
Foxhunt Ledegate. A. S. hlidgeat, M. E. lidyate, lidgget, and
other forms, are common in pi. names, and mean a back gate,
a gate set up between meadow or pasture and plough land,
or across a highway to keep in cattle. The meaning here is
' the Fox-hunters' gate.'
Franche, h., i m. NW. of Kidderminster. D. Frenesse
(berewick of Kidderminster) ; 1275 Frenes, Freynes (2), S. R.
This is a curious case. The name is O. F. /resne, ash-
tree. The D. scribe (probably a Norman) apparently knew
what he was writing, for -esse is the D. representative of
A. S. cBsce, an ash (tree), and he therefore writes the name
both in N. F. and A. S. to the best of his lights. The
forms of 1275 are correct, but in the plural (ashes). In
the S. R. of 1346 a Peter de Franche is assessed for lands
near Bromsgrove, so it would seem the present form of the
name became settled between 1275 and 1346.
Frankley, 6 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. D. Franchlie
(ch = k) ; 12 c. Fr ankle, Franckleye, Frankeleg. Franca was
an A. S. p. n., gen. Francan, probably derived, originally,
from the national name of the Franks, who, it is supposed,
derived it from their national weapon, A. S. franca, a javelin.
The gen. an is represented by the e of the 12 c. Franke-,
and the D. form should, correctly, have been Franchelie. The
meaning is Franca's lea (v. Ley).
66 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Frisland, h., i m. E. of Tibberton ; Frieze Wood, in
Madresfield. Fn's-, Frieze represent furze. The r has a
tendency to shift, sometimes preceding, sometimes following
the vowel. The meaning is land productive of furze or
gorse. The name is generally found on the outskirts of
old commons.
Frith Farm, in Kyre Magna ; Frith Common, in Lind-
ridge. M. E. frith, a wood Wood farm.
Frog Mill, Frog Mill Farm, in Frankley. 1373 Frogge-
mulle (mill), Lyt. Ch. ; Frog Mill, in Inkberrow ; Frogs-
marsh, in Pendock. Frog- plays a conspicuous part in
pi. names ; Frog Mill, Froghall, Frogden (valley), Froggatt
(yate, road), Frogwell, Frogpool, Frognall, Frogham, Frog-
more, are common names. It is beyond doubt that A. S.
f r gg a i a frog, is referred to ; but it is curious that our
forefathers should take so much notice of an unlovable
little creature as to name numerous localities after him (v,
Froxmore).
Froxmore Court, Froxmore Farm, in Crowle. 1275
Froxmere, S. R. ; 1327 Froxemere, S. R. A. S. frox and
frogga, both meaning a frog, and mere, a pool, give us Frog
pool. V. Frog Mill, ante.
Furlong is a common word in pi. names. It is A. S.
furlang, compound of furh lang furrow long, the length of
a furrow in the common fields. It implies no specific
quantity, and would be large or small according to the area
of parallel ploughing.
Qannow Wood, Gannow Farm (moated), ancient estate
in Inkberrow. 14 and 15 c. Gannowe. In mediaeval records
this appears as a ' manor.' It is not in D., and must there-
fore have become manorial after 1086 and before 1290,
when the statute of ' Quia Emptores ' was passed to prevent
the creation of new manors. There is (or was in 1343) an
,**. J , }.-. ~*",'t '*.
.',' .r Si {! ;J '
FRISLAND GLYNCH BROOK 67
estate called 'Gannowe' in Holme Lacy, Herefordsh., and
there is a ' Gannovv ' in Whalley, NE. Lancash. I cannot
interpret it.
Genners Farm, in Northfield. Thomas le Gynur and
Adam le Gynnur were living in Northfield in 1275 (S. R.);
and J. defenners was living there in 1603 (S. R.). Gynur
is an aphetic form of M. E. engynour engineer, i.e. one who
manages engines of war.
Gig Mill, h., in Stourbridge. ' Gig ' is the machine by
which the shag or nap is raised upon blankets and other
cloth. Gig Mill is commonly applied to the building in
which the machine is worked.
Gilbertstone, mansion and grounds in Yardley, lies on
the boundary of the counties of Worcester and Warwkk.
There is an ancient stone here marking the boundary. Adam
Gilbert, two Ranulph Gilberts, and Robert Gilbert were
living in Yardley in 1275, S. R. Gilbert is only a form of
the A. S. p. n. Gislbeorht bright (or cheerful) hostage.
Gladder Brook, in Rock. 1275, 1332, 1340 Gloddre.
Not, I think, an A. S. word ; perhaps W.
Glasshampton, h., in Astley. D. Glese. I cannot
translate Glese, or make any useful suggestion about it.
Jfdm/un, home town, seems to have been added to the
name after the Conquest.
Gleden, brook, in Warndon. 978 Gteden, C. D. 618.
A. S. glcedene is glossed by Sweet ' iris, gladiolus ' (Bosworth-
Toller omits the word); but I think Sweet is wrong, and
that the E. D. D. is right in rendering Gladdon, Gladden, as
' coarse marsh grass, bulrushes, especially the greater reed-
mace and the lesser bulrush ' ; these plants may have flourished
on some part of the stream.
Glynch Brook, runs into Leadon near Newent. 963
Glences, Glencing, C. S. 1109; 10 c. Glencincg, C. S. 1281 ;
972 Glencincg, C. S. 1282. The forms appear to be A. S.;
but I cannot make anything of them.
68 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Golafers, an ancient estate in Eckington; belonged to
the ' Golafers/ a 1 4 c. landowning family here, progenitors
of the Russells of Strensham (Nash, ii. 180).
Qoldicote (Lower), Goldicote (Upper), in Alder-
minster. 1275 Caldicote, S. R. = Cold cot (A. S. cet
Caldan cote). Initial G and C frequently interchange (v.
Calcott).
Goosohill Green (Upper and Lower), Goosehill
Farms, Goosehill Wood, in Hanbury. 'Above Goshull
lay a common, free for all men of the country, whether
bond or free, for their cattle, &c., as appears by the
Bishops' register' (Nash, i. 549). M. E. Goshull = Goose
hill.
Gorse Hill, in Bromsgrove (i m. NE. of). 1275 Gorst-
hale (2), S. R. Gorst is a M. E. form of gorse; here
I translate hale as ' meadow land ' (v . Hale) = Gorsey
meadow.
Gospel Farm, in Yardley, lies on the boundary of
Yardley and Solihull, and of the counties of Warwick and
Worcester ; a place where the Gospel was read on per-
ambulations. Cp. Pulpit Oak, in Berrington, and many
' Gospel Oaks.'
Grafton Flyford, 7 m. E. of Worcester. 884 Graftune,
C. S. 552; 972 Graf tune, C. S. 1281; D. Gar stone (an
evident mistake); 1275 Graf tone, S. R. ; 14 c. Grafton sub
Flavell. V. Grafton Manor, and Flavell Flyford.
Grafton Manor, 2 m. SW. of Bromsgrove. D. Grastone ;
1275 Grafton, S. R. The s in the D. form is a mistake for
f, those letters in A. N. being so much alike as to be
frequently mistaken (v. Cofton Hacket). This is ' Grove-
town,' A. S. grdfiun (v. Ton).
Grange (The), f., in Kingsnorton (i m. SW. of).
c. 1540 The Graunge; belonged to the Abbey of Bordesley.
This word was introduced to our language about 1300
from the French graunge. It meant originally a granary,
GOLAFERS GRIMSPITS 69
barn, but came to be applied to outlying farms, espe-
cially those belonging to monasteries and manorial
lords.
Grange (The), i m. S. of Alvechurch. This is probably
one of the Granges formerly belonging to the Abbey of
Bordesley, and frequently mentioned in the charters relating
to the Abbey. V. Grange, ante.
Grange Farm, in Lutley, Halesowen, belonged to the
Abbey of Halesowen. V. Grange, ante,
Great Farley, v. Farley.
Greet, h., Greet Hill, Greet Common, in Yardley, all
adjacent and on a stream. 1275 Gre/e, Grethurst, S. R. ;
1332 Gretehurste ; 1340 Gre/e. Greta and Greet are
common river names, and I think these places take their
name from the stream. The word must be Celtic, as it
prevails in Scotland and the North of England; I cannot
interpret it.
Grimes Hill, \\ m. NE. of Withall; Grimes Hill, in
Kingsnorton (1275 Grimesput (pit), S. R.) ; Grimscote, near
Alderminster. Grim was a common A. S. p. n., but it also
meant a spectre, goblin, or evil spirit, and we cannot tell in
what sense we ought here to read the word. Grimes Dyke,
Grimes Graves, Grimsditch, are prehistoric earthworks, and
the probability is that supernatural agency in their construction
is referred to. V. Grimspits.
Grimley, 5 m. N. of Worcester. 851 Grimanleage, C. S.
462 ; 852 Grimanlege, C. S. 462 ; 957 Grimanhylle, C. S.
993 > 9^4 Grimanlage, C. S. 1134; D. GremanhilL The
prefix is clearly the A. S. p. n. Grima, gen. Griman Grima's
lea (v . Ley). The terminal at first oscillated between ' hill '
and 'lea.'
Grimspits, h. and farm in Kingsnorton (i m. S. of).
1275 Grymesputi, Grimesput, S. R. V. Grimes Hill. M. E.
putt = pit, favours the construction of an apparition. Goblins
Pit, Bug Hole, are not uncommon names. (' Bug ' means
70 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
a goblin, and Coverdale's Bible, 1535, uses the word in that
sense.)
Guarlford, h., in Great Malvern. 1275 Garleford (2),
S. R. ; 1288 Garleforde. I cannot interpret Garle- or
Guarl-; both forms are corrupt. For the terminal v.
Ford.
Gumborn Farm, in Grimley. A. S. p. n. Gumbeorn (guma,
a man ; beorn, a warrior). The name appears in the S. R.
of 1275 in Hallow and other places, and in 1327 in Warndon,
as Gumbern and Gumbarn.
Gyting, a stream in Cutsdean, giving name to Temple
Guiting. 974 Gytincges awylme, Gytinc, Gy tinges, C. S.
1299, Hem. 348. A. S. gyte, 'a pouring out, flood/
geotan, to pour out, flood, are probably the root ; cewylme,
spring.
Habberley, h., i^ m. W. of Kidderminster. D. Har-
burgelei. A. S. fern. p. n. Hereburh, gen. Hereburge Here-
burh's lea (v. Ley).
Hadsor, i^ m. S. E. of Droitwich. 1 1 c. Headdes ofre,
Hem. 263; D. Hadesore; 1275 Haddesovere, S. R. A. S.
p. n. Headd and ofer, a border, bank, used in connexion with
a p. n., in the sense of ' property,' ' belonging to.'
Hagley, 3 m. S. of Stourbridge. D. Hagelet'a; 12 c.
Hageleg ; 1 3 c. Haggaley, Haggeley. Hag is an O. N. word
meaning an enclosure, a wooded enclosure ; v. H. E. D. s.
Hag, sb? This may be read ' the wooded enclosure on or
near the lea' (v. Ley). There seems to have been some
Norse settlement or influence in this locality ; v. Clent, which
adjoins, and is also Norse.
Hailstone Farm, in Blockley. A. S. hagol-stan (g =_y),
hailstone. Our ancestors probably supposed erratic boulders
to be meteoric. Cp. Hailstone f., in Rowley Regis, Stafford-
shire.
Halac, an unrecognized D. manor in Doddingtree Hundred.
GUARLFORD HALESOWEN 71
12 c. Halac (Hist, of Worcestersh., i. 329 b). I think it lay
near Rock.
Hale. This common terminal is usually treated as a
form of A. S. heall, a hall, or principal dwelling ; but it
seems also to be a form of A. S. healh, Mercian halh, dat.
heale, Mercian hale, which Bosworth-T oiler gives as 'a
word of doubtful meaning'; but it appears to be used in
A. S. charters in the sense of meadow or pasture land.
Kemble (C. D.) always construes it ' hall ' ; but it is clear
that many pi. names now ending in ' hale ' or ' hall ' refer to
meadow land. Rischale, now Rushall, cannot mean a hall
built of rushes ; it is more likely to mean ' rushy meadow
or pasture ' ; Fearnhealas cannot mean Fern halls, but may
reasonably be read 'ferny meadows/ and Hathhalan is
more likely to mean ' heathy meadows ' than ' heath halls.'
Mr. Henry Bradley (one of the Editors of the H. E. D.)
writes : ' The word heath seems to mean waterside pasture.
It is a frequent element in local names, though it has almost
escaped recognition by etymologists, as the names in which
it occurs are usually referred to hall or hill.' Places now
named Halloughton, Houghton, Halton, and like forms,
when traced to A. S. roots represent an original Healhtun.
In the absence of evidence or inference to the contrary
I construe hale as ' hall.' Professor Skeat says : ' A special
application of it (hale) was a nook of land at the bend
of a river, or a piece of flat alluvial land ; hence a sheltered
spot' (Place-Names of Hertfordshire, 29); and elsewhere:
' The sense is nook, recess, retreat, corner, covert, &c. . . . But
I do not object to Bradley's explanation of " waterside pasture."
I think that is just it a nook or enclosure between a river
and a hill, which would well serve for pasture, if it had grass
on it. I do not think hale can well be " hall " ; because hall
has two Fs, both essential.'
Halesowen. D. Halas; later Hales ; 1276 Hales-
Owqyn; 1286 Halesowen; 1340 Hales-Oweyn ; later Hales,
72 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
and Halesowen. Hale or Hales is a pi. form of A. S. healh,
which A. S. dictionaries translate a ' corner/ Kemble a ' hall,'
and Bosworth-Toller ' a word of doubtful meaning ' ; but its
frequent use in charters is in the sense of meadow or pasture
land. Halas is a dat. pi. form of the word. Hale, Hales,
Hailes, are names borne by more than a score places in
England ; we have also Sheriff Hales, Drayton in Hales,
Betton in Hales, and similar forms too numerous to mention.
In the Worcestershire Subsidy Rolls for 1275 and 1327
there are over thirty names recorded as -de la Hale, -en la
Hale, -atte Hale, -in the Hale, all meaning ' in the meadows ' ;
but ' meadow ' or ' leasow,' though common M. E. words, are
not once used in the Rolls. I therefore translate Hales as
' meadows/ and this accords with the situation of the manor.
There is an old estate here called ' The Leasowes ' (A. S.
Icestt), only another word for low-lying meadow land. The
terminal -owen was attached in consequence of the marriage,
in 1174, of Emma, sister of Henry II, to David ap Owen,
Prince of North Wales. Hales then belonged to the Crown ;
Henry gave it to his sister in frankmarriage, and she was
succeeded by her son Owen.
Hall Green, in Yardley, probably takes its name from
Broom Hall (q. v.) which adjoins.
Hallow, 3 m. NW. of Worcester. 816 Heallingan,
Halhegan, Hal hagan, Halheogan, C. S. 356 ; 963 Hallege,
C. S. i no and 1135; D. Halhegan', 1275 Hallauwe, S. R.
This manor was given by Coenwulf, king of the Mercians,
to the Bishop of Worcester in 816; but many of these
'grants' are mere confirmations of title, and the bishop
may have held it long before. The forms are early, but
conflicting. The prefixes probably represent A. S. heall,
a hall or palace (possibly of the bishop), but the ter-
minals cannot be reconciled. The name is unique. The
charter of 8 1 6 mentions a ' Salt street ' and a ' Portway '
here.
HALL GREEN HAMPTON 73
Ham. This common terminal is usually derived from
A. S. ham, home, a dwelling ; but many places now ending
in ham derive that part of their name from A. S. hamm,
homm, riverside meadow (v. Ham, 8).
Ham, b. This name is commonly applied in Worcestershire
and Gloucestershire to land on the sides of Severn, Teme, and
Avon liable to flood. The A. S. forms are homm and hamm.
These ' hams ' are generally in bends of the river, and
it is probable that these bends have some connexion
with the name, our word ham (the thigh and buttock
collectively) having similar old forms, originally meaning
' crooked ' ; v. H. E. D. s. Ham, st>. 1 and sb? There is
a tract of land, 3 m. NW. of Bingham in Notts, on a bend
of the Trent, called ' The Hams.'
Ham Castle, in Clifton-on-Teme. D. Hamme ; 1332
Homme Castle ; later Homme, Home, Hamme: Is situated on
Teme side in a bend of the river. V. Ham, b.
Ham Court, 2 m. S. of Upton-on-Severn, on Severn side,
and at a bend of the river. V. Ham, b.
Ham Green, h., \\ m. N. of Feckenham. 1332 Home,
S. R. Ham is here used in the sense of riverside meadow
land (v. Ham, b}. This place is on a substantial stream.
Hampstall Ferry, in Hartlebury. Hampj/ra^is a common
name, but Hams/all comparatively rare; cp. Hamstall Rid-
ware, Staffs., and Hamstalls, on Severn, 2 m. SE. of Newnham.
A. S. Mm, home ; steall, place, stead, stall (for cattle), also
' fishing ground.' Being on Severn the word is perhaps
used in the last sense. Severn runs straight here, so that
Ham- is not to be read in the sense of Ham, b.
Hampton, i m. SW. of Evesham. 714 Hantun, C. S.
130; 780 Heantune, C. S. 235; Heamtun, and Hantone, 10
and lie.; D. Hantun. In A. S. this would appear, correctly,
as cet Heantune, i. e. High town (v. Ton). Many Hamptons
have been originally Heantun. D. always writes Han- for
Hean- ; hence the tendency to ' Hamton.'
74 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Hampton Lovet, i^ m. NW. of Droitwich. 714 Ham-
tona juxta Wiccium (Hamtum near (Droit)wich), C. S. 134 ;
781 Homtune, C. S. 239, 241 ; 817 Hamtun, C. S. 360, 361 ;
D. Hamtune. This is a plain case of an original Hamtun
home town (v. Ham, and Ton). The p is excrescent, the
effect of accent falling on the m.
Hamton. The number of -hamtons, with a prefix, in
Ombersley and Astley is remarkable. The following sur-
vive : Brookhampton, Comhampton, Dunhampton, Glass-
hampton, Hillhampton, Northampton, Oakhampton, Sol-
hampton, Sytchampton, Uphampton, Woodhampton, Yar-
hampton; and the following have disappeared from the
maps: Oleshampton (1275 S. R.), Poughamton in Hartle-
bury (1275 S. R.), Sardhamton and Sevehamton in Astley
(1275 S. R.), and Herhampton in Ombersley (1275
S. R.). It looks as if hamton had come to mean a farm-
stead, for the places named above could have been only
farms.
Hanbury, 4 m. E. of Droitwich. 691 Heanburg, C. S.
75? 757 Heanburh, Hanbiri, C. S. 220; 796 Heanbyrig,
C. S. 272 ; 831 Heanbyrig (g =j>), C. S. 416 : this charter
refers to a monastery here; D. Hambyrie; 1275 Hambury,
S. R. Plainly High Burh (p. Bury), A. S. at Hean byrig
(dat.).
Hanger-, Hunger-, Hungry Hill. Exs. Hanging
Wood, near Tenbury, Hanging Grove, in Hanley Child
(both on hillsides sloping to a stream) ; Alderhanger Farm,
Alderhanger Wood, in Besley ; Hunger Hill, Henley in
Arden ; Hungry Hill, near Stourbridge; Honger Grove,
in Puddleston; Hungry Hill, in Cleobury Mortimer. A. S.
hangra, a hanging wood, i. e. a wood growing on a hillside.
Most of our A. S. dictionaries are wrong on this word, for
lack'of observation ; aspen-hangra, thorn-hangra^ hasle-hangra,
Oakhanger, Timberhanger, have obvious meanings. The
subject is fully dealt with in 'Anecdota Oxoniensia/ Early
HAMPTON LOVET HANLEY WILLIAM 75
Charters, 134. Hunger-, Hungry-, Hungary-, are 'interpre-
tative corruptions.' Cp. Lightwoods.
Hangman's Hill, on Malvern Hills, near the Herefordshire
Beacon. The road leading to this is called Hangman's Lane.
It denotes the locality where the gallows formerly stood
pertaining to the Forest of Malvern (Nash, i. 557). All
offences committed within a forest, whether against the forest
laws or the common law, were triable by the forest courts,
and a gallows was therefore appurtenant. The Courts were
held at Hanley Castle. The forest laws were severe, but
very mercifully executed. I do not believe that any man
ever lost life or limb for any offence against them. Every
judgement I have met with has been a fine, often followed by
' but he is pardoned because he is poor,' or ' because he is
a minstrel/ or ' at the intercession of the bishop,' &c. The
gallows would be for common law offenders. Historians
write glibly of men's lives being taken for killing the king's
deer, but they never give us a reference to authority. Every
schoolboy is taught how the Conqueror destroyed churches
and villages to form the New Forest; but they are all
recorded in Domesday, and all exist to this hour. William
was too good a churchman, and too wise, to do such things.
Hanley Castle, 2 m. NW. of Upton-on-Severn. D.
Hanlie, Hanlege; 1275 Hanley, S. R. There was a mediaeval
castle here, of which no traces remain, except the site. The
Assizes were held here in 1212, and the Courts for the
Forest of Malvern were also regularly held at Hanley. It
is A. S. at Hean leage (dat.) (g =j>} High lea (v. Ley).
Hanley William or Upper Hanley, Hanley Child or
Nether Hanley, 5 m. SE. of Tenbury. 8 1 7 Heanley, C. S.
360, 361; D. Hanlege', 1275 Childrehanle, Hanlee Wyllame;
1332 Chylderne- Henley, S. R. 'In pure A. S. this would be
Hean leage (dat.) High lea (v. Ley). ' William ' and 'Child '
are M. E. additions to distinguish these places from other
Hanleys ; ' William ' is probably the one rated in the S. R.
76 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
of 1275; 'Child' perhaps means a person of that name, but
Childre and Chylderne are gen. plural forms, meaning ' of
children,' i.e. ' of young men,' so it is doubtful. ' Child ' was
formerly applied to young men of gentle birth, as a kind of
title generally in poetry.
Harberrow, h., in Hagley, 3^ m. NE. of Kidderminster.
12 c. Hardberwe; 13 c. Herdeberue; 1275 Herdeberewe,
S. R. The forms represent an A. S. hierdan-beorge, the
herdsman's hill or burial mound (v. Barrow). Berewe is a
M. E. form of beorge, and er was pronounced ar. V. Hard-
wick.
Harcomb Wood, in Evenlode, lies on the bounds of
Evenlode and Adlestrop, and of the counties of Worcester
and Gloucester. A. S. Har-cumb, boundary valley (v. Hoar-
stone and Combe).
Harcourt (High) Farm, in Clent, stands on the old county
boundary of Worcestershire and Salop, and on the boundary
of Clent and Halesowen. The terminal is corrupt, ' court '
being a M. E. word derived from the French, and the prefix
A. S. ; it is more likely to have been cote, a cottage (v . Badge
Court). Har- means 'boundary' (v. Hoarstone).
Hardwick, h., in Breedon. 14 c. Herdwyke; 1327 Herde-
wyke, S. R. 'the herdsman's dwelling'; v. Hardwick, post.
Hardwick Green, Hardwick Court, in Eldersfield (i
m. NE. of); Hardwick Hayes in Eldersfield (i^ m. E. of).
13 c. Thos. de Mare holds Hordewyke of the Honor of
Gloucester; the Prior of Lyra holds Herdewyk, Hab. 208.
A. S. Hierdanwtc, M. E. Herdewyke, the herdsman's dwelling
(v . Wich). There are about thirty ' Hardwicks ' recorded in
Cassell's Gazetteer, and many are omitted, being only solitary
dwellings. The name was sometimes applied to describe
a district in charge of a herdsman. V. Harberrow.
Harpley, h., in Lower Sapey. 1275 Arpeley, Harpele,
1332 Jiarpeleye, S. R. The forms are late, and, being M. E.,
it is difficult to decide on the exact earlier forms, but the root
HARBERROW HARV1NGTON 77
is clearly in A. S.Aearfe, a harp, or hearpere, a harper = the
harp lea, or the harper's lea. One might well imagine a p. n.
Harpa, or Hearpa, but no such name is recorded in A. S.,
though ' Harper ' is now common enough. Cp. Harpenden
and Harpsfield (Herts), Harpsden (Oxon.), Harpford (Devon),
Harpley (Norfolk), Harpswell (Line.), and Harptree (Som.).
Harridge, h., in Redmarley (i m. SW. of). 1275
Horerugge, S. R. A. S. Har-hricg, M. E. Har (or Hore)
rugge, boundary ridge (v. Hoarstone). This h. lies on the
boundary between Worcester and Hereford shires.
Kartell or Hartle, h., in Bellbroughton (\ m. E. of).
I3C. Herthulle, 1275 Herthulle, S. R. A. S. Heort-hyll,
M. E. Herthulle, ' the hill of the hart ' (male red deer).
Hartlebury, 4 m. S. of Kidderminster. 817 Heortla-
byrig, C. S. 360, 361 ; 980 Heortlabyrig, C. D. 627; 985
Heortlanbyrig, C. D. 653; D. Huertberie; 12 c. Hertlebery\
13 c. Herthburi. The terminal is clearly A. S. burh (dat.
byrig), an enclosed or fortified place (v. Bury). With that
terminal the rule is that the prefix is a p. n., unless it is
descriptive of the situation, or the name of a river upon
which the 'burh' stood. I therefore incline to treat the
prefix as an unrecorded p. n., Heortla (gen. Heortlari),
Heortla's ' burh ' ; but it is open to the objection that there
is no evidence of such a name. On the other hand, Heortla
or Heortle is not otherwise to be found in A. S. Harford,
a h. 4 m. N. of Northleach, was lorotlaford (= Heorotlaford)
in 779, C. S. 230, and Hartlepool, in Durham, was Heorot ea
(ea, a stream) in the 7th c. (Beda). Harford certainly, and
Hartlepool probably, have a similar prefix-root to Hartle-
bury.
Harvington, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. 1275 Here-
winton, S. R.; 1340 Herwynlon; 14 c. Herwyntone, fre-
quently. Probably A. S. p. n. Herewine, Herewine's town.
V. Ton, and Harvington, post.
Harvington, h., 3 \ m. N. of Evesham. 709 Herefordtune,
78 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
C. D. 1368 ; 799 Hereford, C. S. 295 ; 802 Hereforde,
C. S. 307; 963 Herefordtun juxta Avene, C. S. mo;
D. Herferthun; 1275 Herfortone. A. S. Here-ford-tun, the
town of the ford of the army (v. Ton). The ford would
probably be on the Avon, hard by the village. Hereford
(city) has the same meaning, Harvington, ante, quite
another.
Hasbury, h., in Halesowen. 13 and 14 c., frequently,
Haselburi. A. S. hcesel beorh, the hazel hill.
Haselor, f., in Cropthorne ; Haselor (Upper and Lower)
farms, in Charlton. Haselor is a fairly common name.
The A. S. form is always found to have been hcsselofre,
M. E. haseloure, haselovere, the hazel bank.
Hatfiold, h., in Norton by Kempsey (i m. S. of). 1275
Hathfeld, S. R. A. S. hathfeld heath field (v. Field).
A medial th commonly becomes /. We have numerous
Hatfields, and all I have traced have a similar root. ' Hatton'
(A. S. hathturi) is also a common name, meaning Heath
town.
Haunch Farm, in Northfield. Haunch, Hanch, is a fre-
quent name for fields and occasionally for farms, arising from
their shape. Hanch is the old form.
Hawford, h., in North Claines, on Severn, at its con-
fluence with Salwarp. The prefix may be a M. E. form of
A. S. haga, an enclosed place. In some localities ' haw '
(representing haga} means a ' timber wharf,' but I have not
met with any such use of the word in Worcestershire ; it is
not unlikely to be the meaning here, as the demand for wood
for the salt-works at Droitwich was formerly very great, and
Hawford would be a near point for landing or delivery up
the Salwarp. For the terminal v. Ford.
Hawksley, h., Hawksley Hall, Hawksley Mill and
Farin (moated), in Kingsnorton (i m.SW.of). iz^^Haucks-
lowe, S. R. ; 16 c. Habington spells it Haukeslowe; it then
belonged to the Middlemores of Edgbaston ; 1332 Hawkslow,
HASBURY HAZLEDENE GROVE 79
S. R. There are two Hawksleys here, 2 m. apart, Hawksley
Mill and Farm being in Northfield, Hawksley Hall in Kings-
norton. The terminal is clearly low, a burial mound
(v. Low). A. S. hafoc, M. E. haucke, means a hawk (formerly
widely applied to diurnal predatory birds). The literal
translation is ' Hawk's burial mound,' and Hawk after the
Conquest (not before) was a p. n. I think it more likely
that a p. n. is here represented than a bird. It would not
follow that ' Hawk ' was buried there (these mounds are
prehistoric); he might have lived hard by, or the mound
may have been a boundary mark (as was common) to his
property.
Hawn (The), h., in Halesowen. This is A. S. hagan
(dat. of haga), M. E. hawe, an enclosed or fenced-in place ;
the n has come down from Saxon times. The Hague, in
Holland, has a similar root and meaning in Dutch, the French
calling it La Haye.
Hay, a common prefix and terminal, is from A. S. hege
(g =_y), meaning (i) an enclosed place, (2) a locality known
by defined bounds, but not enclosed. Forests were usually
divided into hays for administrative purposes. In M.E. hege
becomes heye, heie, haie, haye, hay, and similar forms. It is
allied to A. S. haga, M. E. haw, haghe, hawe, which also
means an enclosure, and is sometimes applied to burgage
tenements in towns.
Hayden Way. The Icknield Street between Studley
and Alcester is so marked on the O. M., i in., 1831. I know
of no authority for the name, or its meaning.
Hay Mills, Hay Hall, in Yardley (on the Cole river).
1327 Robt. in the Hay, S. R. V. Hay.
Hay Wood, on Ankerdine, in Hartley. 1275 Walter
de Haye, S. R. Haye is a M. E. word meaning an enclosure,
a fenced-in place ; v. H. E. D. s. Hay, sb?
Hazledene Grove, in Redmarley. 1356 Haselden. A. S.
l, the hazel, and denu, vale the hazel vale.
8o WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Hazlewell Hall, ancient estate in Kingsnorton (2 m. NE.
of). 1 6 c. Haselwell; A. S. hcesel, the hazel, and wiell,
M. E. well, a spring the hazel spring.
Headless Cross, h., i m. S. of Redditch, stands at the
junction of the old road from London to Shrewsbury (via
Stratford, Bromsgrove, and Kidderminster), with the Ridge-
way, which here forms the boundary between the shires of
Worcester and Warwick. This is just the locality where
a cross would be erected in old times, and Headless Cross
means a cross without a head, or a cross which had lost its
head. The name is not uncommon. There was a Headless
Cross in Nottingham in the 13 and 14 c., and cp. ' Headless-
cross ' in N. Lanarkshire ; but early forms are lacking, and
all I have met with favour the construction of ' Headley's
Cross.' Ogilby's Book of the Roads, 1675, marks it ' Hedleys
Cross,' at in m. 7 f. from London, and Taylor's Map of
Worcestershire, 1772, writes it 'Headley's Cross.' A family
of de Hedleye were certainly settled in the locality. In 1275
William de Hedley was assessed to the Subsidy, sub Broms-
grove and Kingsnorton. In 1294 Simon de Hedleye served
on a jury relating to Feckenham Forest, and Stephen de
Hedley was assessed to the Subsidy in 1332, sub Bromsgrove
and Kingsnorton. Roger ' de Hedleye ' was living in Tarde-
bigg (which comprised Headless Cross), and was assessed
to the subsidy of 1327. The evidence is therefore over-
whelming that this is Hedley's, not Headless Cross, and
' Cross ' probably referred to the cross roads and a finger-
post. These old guide-posts were commonly known as
' Cross o' th' hand.' Crabs Cross (q. v.) is on the same roads,
a mile S. V. Headley Heath, post, and Cross in Hand, ante.
Headley Heath, in Kingsnorton (i| m. SE. of). 849
Hcethlege, C. S. 455 Heath lea (v. Ley). It had changed its
name to Hedleye by 1275, a family of ' de Hedleye' then
living here, S. R. ; a medial th generally becomes d or / in
M. E. V. Headless Cross.
HAZLEWELL HALL HIDLEY 8l
Heathy Mill, i\m. SE. of Kidderminster, on a tributary
of the Stour. 1275 Hetheye, S. R. ; 1327 Hetheye, Hetheie,
S. R.; 1346 Hetheghe, S. R. ; 16 c. Hethey (mill), belonged
to Bordesley Abbey. A. S. hath, heath, and ig, teg, eg
(g silent), M. E. eie, eye, an island Heath island. The
word was formerly applied to a place wholly or partially
surrounded by water, or to an elevation in a marsh. This
place lies in a watery locality ; v. Ey.
Heightington, h., in Rock, 3 m. W. of Stourport ; no
forms. Height- is a difficulty I cannot solve ; for the rest
v. Ing and Ton ; cp. Heighten in Sussex, and Heightington
in Lincolnshire.
Hen Brook, in Stoke Prior and Upton Warren. 770
Hens broc, C. S. 204 (in this charter the junction between
Hens broc and Salwarpe is called mythan ; v. Mitton). Hen
is not here used in the sense of a female bird, but of water-
fowl in general, as we say Moor-hen, Heath-hen, Marsh-
hen, Water-hen, Hen-harrier, to describe a species, and
'hen-roost.' Cp. Moreton-Henmarsh. West Hendred, in
Berks, was Henne rith (A. S. rith, a rivulet). The charter of
770 is a late copy, using occasionally M. E. words.
Henmarsh Wood, in Pedmore, on i in. O. M., not on
6 in. ; adjoining is Broadmarsh Farm. Henmarsh means
a marsh frequented by wild-fowl, Hen being used in the
sense of species and not of sex (v. Hen Brook).
Henwick, h., 2 m. NW. of Worcester. The modern
form probably represents an A. S. at Hean-wlc, high village
(v. Wich).
Hewell Grange, in Tardebigg, belonged to Bordesley
Abbey. 1300 Hewelle Grange. (The H is intrusive; it
should be Ewell, from A. S. ce-wylm, ce-wielle, a water-spring.
Skeat.) An intrusive H is common. Ewell, in Surrey,
appears in charters as sEwelle, and has this meaning.
V. Grange.
Hidley (Broad), Hidley (Little), in Halesowen. 1311
82 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
and 1317 Hyddelege; 15 c. Hiddeley. Probably A. S. p. n.
Hidda Hidda's lea (v. Ley).
High Oak Farm, High Oak Coppice, in Ribbesford.
Ivo del Ok' (of the oak), Nicholas del Ok', John de Hok, and
Roger de Hok' were living in Ribbesford in 1275, S. R.
Hill, a common terminal and an occasional prefix, is from
A. S. hyll, M. E. hull, hulk, a hill. The word is comparative,
and often applied, in level districts, to slight elevations.
Hill, h., in Fladbury, 3 m. NE. of Pershore. c. 1043
Hylle, C. D. 923. A. S. hyll, hill.
Hill Croome, v. Croome (Hill).
Hillhampton, h., in Hartley, 4^ m. SSW. of Stourport.
D. Hilhamatone] 1275 Hulhamtone, S. R. Hill-home-town
(v. Hill, Ham, and Ton).
Himbleton, 4 m. SE. of Droitwich. 816 Hymeltun, C. S.
816; 884 Hymellun, C. S. 552; 972 Hymeliune, C. D. 259;
991 Hymeltune, C. D. 680; D. Himeltun. This is 'the town
of the hop plant ' (A. S. hymele) (v. Ton). The manor is
bounded by a stream called, in the charters, Hymel broc, ' the
brook of the hop plant.' The manor may take its name
from the stream, or the stream from the manor. Himley, in
Staffordshire, Hemlington, and Hambleton, in Yorkshire, have
a similar root. The plant here referred to is the wild hop
(Bryony, Wild Vine, &c.). The cultivated plant used in
brewing, and the name 'hop,' were first introduced into
England, from Holland, in the isth century.
Hindlip, 3^ m. SW. of Droitwich. 966 Hinde hlep\
u c. Hindelepe; D. Hindelep. A. S. hind, gen. hinde, female
red deer, and hUep, hlyp, leap ' the hind's leap.' This may
refer to some extraordinary leap, or to a ' Deer Leap ' in the
fence of enclosed ground adjoining a forest. Two deer leaps
still remain on Cannock Chase.
Ho, Hoe, Hoo, an occasional terminal, is A. S. hoh, ho,
M. E. how, hawe, hoo ; in northern counties heugh. It means
a projecting spur or ridge of land ; a hill ending abruptly
HIGH OAK HOB 83
or steeply. Exs. : The Hoe (Plymouth), Martini,
hynho, Iving/fo<?, &c.
Hoarstone. A. S. hdr (pron. hoar) plays an important
part in pi. names. All dictionaries translate it ' hoary, grey,
old,' and that undoubtedly is one of its meanings ; but it
certainly came to be used, at a very early period, in the sense
of 'boundary'; it is one of the commonest words to be
found in the charters, generally in its dative form hdran\
always on a boundary, and always in that obvious sense;
yet it has been perversely translated ' grey/ the ' grey oak/
the 'grey withy,' the 'grey pit,' the 'grey apple-tree,' the
'grey thorn,' the 'grey lea/ the 'grey stone/ the 'grey
spring/ the 'grey cross/ the 'grey lane/ and similar
absurdities, have long been served up to us. The H. E. D., s.
Hoarstone, is the first great authority to recognize the true
meaning of the word. In and after the isth c. the form
has frequently become Horestone, Warstone, Worston, and
Whorestone. Boundary stones were used in the most remote
times. ' And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar/ as
a boundary mark between him and Laban, Gen. xxxi. 45.
' And the border went up to the stone of Bohan, the son of
Reuben/ Joshua xv. 6.
Hoarstone (The), f., \\ m. NE. of Bewdley. 1275
Richard o' th' horeston, S. R. ; 1449 Richard Janyns of
Horestone (Lyt. Ch.). V. Hoarstone, ante.
Hob, Hob Hill, Hobs Lane, Hobs Hole, Hob Well,
Hob Croft, Hob Moor, Hob Green, &c., are fairly common
names in the county. Hob is a familiar or rustic variation of
Rob Robin Goodfellow, or Puck, and alludes to former
universal beliefs :
1 From elves, hobs and fairies,
That trouble our dairies,
Defend us, good heaven' (1625).
Hodge is only a variant form of Hob. Hob, Rob, and Robin
are Norman words, not A. S.
G 2
84 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Hob, or Abbots Lench, v. Lench (Abbots).
Hockley, Hocker, Hockerill, Ocker, Ockeridge.
These are common names in the Midlands, always in
connexion with hills or hillsides. I find Hockele 1327,
Hockelaye 1332, Hocwell 1332. Hoc- seems to be a M. E.
form of A. S. hoh (hough, hoe being similar forms), and
therefore to have the same meaning as Ho, Hoe, Hoo (q.v.).
This is the opinion of Professor Skeat, who has dealt fully
with the subject in his 'Influence of Anglo-French Pronun-
ciation upon Modern English,' 10. He points out that A. S.
hoh had a guttural pronunciation which led to the M. E. forms
hough and hock.
Hoden (Little), Hoden (Lower), Hoden (Upper),
farms, and Hoden Coppice, in or near Cleeve Prior,
c. 1530 Hodon. The Mucklows (afterwards of Arley Kings,
and ancestors of Zachary Lloyd, Esq., of Arley) lived here
in the early part of the i6th c., and probably before then.
I cannot tell the meaning.
Hodge, v. Hob. Hoe, v. Ho.
Holboach Farm, in Kidderminster. A. S. hoi, and bach,
the hollow (deep) valley (v. Bach).
Holborough Green, Holborough Green Farm
(moated), \\ m. SE. of Feckenham. 1275 Hulleberewe,
S. R.; 1727 Holbrow Green. This looks like M. E. Hill-
barrow (v. Barrow).
Holbro' (Lower and High), farms in Wolverley. V.
Holborough, ante.
Holdfast, h., in Ripple, 2 m. S. of Upton-on-Severn.
967 at Holenfesten, C. S. 1204; 967 at Holenfesten, at
Holanfastene, C. S. 1205; D. Holefest; 1275 Hole/eld, S. R.
(the feld is probably a clerical mistake) ; 1327 Holefaste.
The prefix is A. S. holen, holegn, holly, the terminal fasten,
a fastness ' the holly fastness.' The word is here probably
used in the sense of ' thicket.'
Hole, a word frequently used in pi. names, does not mean
HOB HOLT 85
a ' hole ' in the modern sense of the word, but ' a hollow or
low place' (v. H. E. D. s. Hole).
Hollies (The), in Yardley. 1275 Adam alte Holies, S. R.,
must have been a great man, as he is assessed at 8.r. 3d. ;
Richard de Holies is assessed in the S. R. of 1327 at 2s. id.
Holies = hollies.
Hollin (Upper and Lower), in Pensax, 6 m. SW. of
Bewdley. I think this must be the unrecognized D. manor
of Holim, in Doddingtree Hundred. 1332 Holyn, S. R. ; 1603
Hollin, S. R. A. S. Men, holegn, M. E. hollinttiQ Holly
(tree).
Holling (Lower and Tipper), farms, in Hartley. 1275
Alfred de Holm, S. R. ; 1327 Gilbert Holyn, S. R.; 1332
Holynne, S. R. The Holly (tree) ; v, Hollin, ante.
Hollings Hill, f., in Mathon. John Holyn is assessed to
the 1275 S. R. s. Mathon. The Holly (tree); v. Hollin,
ante.
Holloway, h., in Feckenham. D. Holewei; 12 c. Hole-
weye, Holowei ; 1467 Holewey Grange (belonged to Bordesley
Abbey). This is a common name for ancient roads on hill-
sides, where the adjacent land is higher than the road. The
A. S. form would be at holan wege, where holan is the weak
dat. sing, of hoik, hollow. Under modern road-making
' holloways ' are fast disappearing.
Hollow Fields, h., Hollow Court, in Hanbury (3 m.
SE. of) ; rightly ' Holy fields/ because the Empress Maud
gave the estate to the Abbey of Bordesley (Nash, ii. 549).
Probably a corruption of A. S. halig, holy, or some of its
many M. E. forms.
Holly Hall, \\ m. SW. of Dudley. 1275 Stephan aite
Holie, S. R. Holie is a M. E. form of holly.'
Holt is a common word in pi. names; it is A. S. holt,
a wood, a copse ; now only used in poetry and dialect.
Holt, 5 m. N W. of Worcester. D. Holie ; always Holt,
Holte. A. S. holt, a wood.
86 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Holt End, h., in Besley. Wood End (v. Holt, ante, and
End). As ' Holt ' became a common mediaeval family
name, and there are no earlier forms, a p. n. may be here
represented.
Holt Fleet, in Ombersley, on Severn. A small stream
here joins Severn (v. Holt, ante). A. S. fleot, M. E. fleet,
mouth of a river (doubtless the small stream referred to).
Holy Cross, h., in Clent. I have no information. In
Amphlett's History of Clent it appears as ' Holy Cross ' and
' Hallow Cross,' with no history.
Homehouse Farm (partly in Mathon). 1275 Adam de la
Homme, Juliana de la Homme, S. R. ; 1327, 1332 Richard in
the Home, S. R. This is ' riverside land ' (v. Ham, b).
Honeybourne, a common A. S. name for streams. 840
Hunig burne, C. S. 428, on bounds of Crowle ; 866 Hunig
broc, C. S. 513, in Wolverley. A. S. hunig burn, Honey
brook (v. Himbleton, and Honeybourne, post).
Honeybourne (Church), 5 m. E. of Evesham. 709
Huniburne, C. S. 125 (belonged to Evesham Abbey); 714
Huniburne, C. S. 130; 840 Hunig burn, C. S. 428; D.
Huniburne, Honeyburne. A. S. hunig burn, Honey brook.
There is a stream here called ' Honey brook,' which doubtless
gives name to the place. ' Church ' is a M. E. addition to
distinguish it from ' Cow Honeybourne,' an adjoining manor
in Gloucestershire, there being a church here, and none at
Cow Honeybourne. The Icknield Street here divides the
manors and the counties. Honey was an article of great
importance in early times ; rents were frequently paid in it ;
it was used in the production of mead, and the wax was
needful for the celebration of divine service, as well as for
domestic use. Cow Honeybourne is rightly Calewe, i. e.
bare Bald Honeybourne a pretty strong example of
' interpretative corruption.' V. Himbleton.
Honeybrook, in Wolverley. 866 Hunig broc, C. S. 513.
Honey brook (v. Honeybourne, ante).
HOLT END HORTON 87
Hoo Farm, Hoobrook, h., i\ m. S. of Kidderminster.
1275 John de la Ho, S. R. V. Ho, ante.
Hook, in pi. names (A. S. hoc), means a corner, angle,
nook, point of land. Exs. : Hook Farm, Hook Common,
Hook of Holland.
Hope, in various forms, is a common terminal, and an
occasional prefix in the Midlands, especially Salop. It is
A. S. hop, M. E. hope, only to be found in A. S. dictionaries
in its adjectival form, hdpig (g=y), in hills and hollows, or
in compounds, such as mor-hopu (plural), moor-hope, a fen.
It means 'a valley between two hills.' Hope, bach, combe
have substantially the same meaning.
Hopehouse Farm, in Hartley. 1275 John de Hope,
Agnes de Hope, Alice de Hope, S. R. ; 1327 John atte Hope.
A. S. hop, M. E. hope, a valley (v. Hope).
Hopwood, h., in and 2 m. N. of Alvechurch. 848 Hop-
wuda, C. S. 455 ; 934 Hopwuda, C. S. 701; 1275 Hoppewode,
S. R. A. S. hop, privet. The A. S. word for hop (the wild
hop) was hymele. Hop, as a name for the cultivated plant,
and the plant itself, were not introduced here until the isth c.,
and were borrowed from the Dutch. This is 'the privet
wood ' a wood where privet abounded.
Horsebrook, in Wolverley. 866 Horsa broc, C. S. 513;
962 Horsa broc, C. S. 1087. A. S. hors, a horse, gen. pi.
horsa, and broc, brook Horses' -brook ; the name is
common.
Horse Cliff, h., in Wolverley, 3 m. NE. of Kidderminster ;
a corruption of Aust Cliff (q. v.).
Horseley, h., in Wolverley. 1275 Horsleye, S. R.
Probably takes its name from Horsebrook (q. v.) (v. also Ley).
Horsham, h., in Hartley. 1275 Horsham, S. R. Horsa
was an A. S. p. n., and this may be ' Horsa's home ' (v. Ham),
or it may be ' Horse's meadow ' (v. Ham, b). Earlier forms
might solve the doubt.
Horton, h., in Hampton Lovat. 972 Horton, C. S. 1282 ;
88 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
D. Hortune. This, though a common name, is not easy to
deal with. I think it must be A. S. hor(Ji)tiin, which, in
compound, would be Hortun dirty or muddy town. Hore,
now obs., was a common M. E. word for mire, dirt, &c.,
from A. S. horu; cp. Hormead, in Herts, which Professor
Skeat renders ' muddy mead.'
Hossage (The), f., i \ m. W. of Middle Littleton ; on the
boundary between Worcestershire and Warwickshire. This
name must be corrupt.
Houndsfleld Farm, in Kingsnorton (3 m. SE. of). D.
Hundesfelde, berewick of Bromsgrove; 16 c. Houndeffelde ;
belonged to Bordesley Abbey. A. S. hund, M. E. hounde,
means a dog, hound ; but Hund was also an A. S. p. n., and
also the prefix to many other names, such as Hundwulf,
Hundbeald, &c. ; so that it is impossible to say whether this
means 'the hound's field,' or 'Hund's field' (v. Field).
Housen, h., in Cotheridge. This is a M. E. pi. form of
'house.' It is still common in Staffordshire to speak of
houses as housen. A. S. hus, a house.
Howley Grange, Halesowen. 1415 Owley Grange, Lyt.
Ch. Owl doubtless means an owl, from the place being a
resort of those birds. Owlet and Howlet are also M. E. forms
for an owl. The ey probably represents an original et> Owlet,
and Howlet Hall, are common names for old homesteads.
Howsell Upper, Howsell Lower, in Leigh. Nash, ii.
Sup. 75, writes it Howswell, which, if a correct form, translates
itself.
Huddington, 5 m. SE. of Droitwich. 840 Hudigtun,
C. S. 428; D. Hudintune; 12 c. Hodington. Huda was an
A. S. p. n., the gen. form of which would be at Hudantune
Huda's town. The mod. ing in pi. names frequently descends
from a gen. or dat. in -an.
Hundred House, 5^ m. SW. of Stourport. The Courts
for the hundred of Doddingtree were formerly held here;
Hab. ii. 338.
H OSS AGE HUSSINGTREE 89
Hundred House, \ m. N. of Bromsgrove. 1275 Richard
del hundred, S. R. Probably the house where the Courts
for the hundred of Half-Shire were held. A Court was
appurtenant to every hundred, and was anciently of consider-
able importance.
Hunger-, Hungry Hill, v. Hanger-.
Hunnington, h., in Halesowen. 1 403 Honyngton, Lyt. Ch.
Probably A. S. p. n. Huna, yielding a gen. at Hunantune.
Huna's town (v. Ton).
Hunt End, h., in Feckenham. 1275 William h Honte,
1327 Walter Hounte, were living in Feckenham, S. R. This
place probably takes its name from the family. A. S. hunta,
a hunter. V. End.
Huntingtrap Farm, Huntingtrap Common, in Hadsor.
13 and 14 c. Hountingthrope, S. R. ; Huntingdrope, Huntyn-
drop (medial d represents th\ The terminal is A. S. thorp,
throp, a village ; the word is rarely found in Worcestershire,
but, under Danish influence, is common in the north and
east. The meaning is hunting village. The locality lay
within the limits of Feckenham Forest, and belonged to
Dodford Priory.
Huntingtree, Huntingtree Lane, in Hasbury, Hales-
owen. 1347, 1381 'in the field called Huntyngtre,' Lyt.
Ch. ; later charters Huntyngtre, and Huntyngtree field.
Hunting-tree. There is no history of this name, that I am
aware of.
Hurcot, h., 3 m. from Kidderminster. D. Worcote
(berewick of Kidderminster) ; 1 2 c. Hurchote, Hurcote ; 1275
Horecole] 16 c. Hurdcole. The forms are rather con-
fusing ; the original was probably A. S. at Hyrde-cote, the
shepherd's cot.
Hurst, a common terminal in pi. names, is A. S. hyrst,
M. E. hurst, a copse, wooded hill, thicket. Exs. : Lyndhurst,
Nuthurst, Hawkhurst, Chislehurst, &c.
Hussingtree, v. Martin Hussingtree.
90 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Hwiccii, v. Wiccii.
Hyde (The), the name of several farms and small estates.
A. S. hid, M. E. hyde, a measure of land in A. S. times, and
for some time after the Conquest, varying in extent with the
nature of the ground; primarily, the quantity considered
sufficient for the support of one family. In D. it may be
taken that hyde and carucate are practically synonyms. Exs. :
The Hyde, Upton-on-Severn, Hyde Farm, in Pinvin, &c.
Hyron Hall, in Yardley (moated). Though this is an
ancient estate I cannot trace it under its present name.
Ickniold Street, Roman way running N. and S., comes
out of the Fossway (Exeter to Lincoln), 3 m. SW. of
Stow-on-the-Wold, via Condicote, Spring Hill, Broadway
Hill, Newcomb, near Saintbury and Weston-sub-Edge,
between the Honeybournes, through Bidford, Alcester,
Beoley, Birmingham, near Lichfield, through Burton and
Derby to Chesterfield. Through Staffordshire it is called, in
1 2 and 1 3 c. charters, ' the royal way called Ikenhilde strete'
' the King's street which is called Ykenild,' ' the King's way,
or the Ricnelde street', ' Rikelinge strete,' ' Rykenyldstrete' In
Worcestershire, in a charter of 972 relating to Beoley, C. S.
1282, it is called Stangeat; 1316, in Kingsnorton, Ikeneld
street; in 1327, near the Honeybournes, Ikenild-; in 1340,
near Alvechurch, Ikeling-strete ; S. of the Honeybournes it is
commonly called Buckle Street. Over the Cotswolds its
course is broken, though traceable and confused with the
Saltway. There is another 'Icknield way,' not Roman,
running NE. and SW. from Avebury in Wilts., through
Wallingford, Princes Risborough, Dunstable, Hitchin, Baldock,
Royston, and Cambridgeshire, into Norfolk. This road in
10 c. charters is called Ycenilde-, Icenhilde-, Icenhilte weg,
and >Cinges-str<zte. A tribe of 'Iceni' are said to have
inhabited Norfolk, but that has no bearing on this road.
The names of all our Roman ways are A. S., or supposed
HWICCll ING 91
to be ; but neither A. S. nor any other language appears to
throw light on the meaning of Icknield Street (Icenhilde weg).
A. S. hild means war, battle, but is only a poetical word,
unlikely to form an element in pi. names. On the other
hand, Watling Street and Ermine Street appear to be
poetical or mythological names. Mr. W. H. Stevenson
considers the interpretation 'hopeless.' V. Buckle Street,
Hayden Way.
Illey, h., in Halesowen. 12 c. Hilleley, Yleley, 1250
Hilleley e\ 1304 Ylleleye\ 15 c. Ylley (frequently), Illey, all
Lyt. Ch. An Illey ge in Kent is mentioned in Th. Ch.
p. 507, a. 958 ; the same place is mentioned at p. 523 as at
Illanley; Monks Eleigh in Suffolk was Illeyge in 958,
Illankge in 972, and lllege in 990. It cannot be ' Hilly-lea'
as 'Hilly' is not a recorded word before the 15 c. I have
no doubt the prefix is the A. S. p. n. Ylla (gen. Fllari)
Vila's lea (v. Ley). The name is rare, and only once
recorded as that of a monk at Durham. Shortly before
the Conquest, and long after, / and Y were commonly
confused and interchanged.
Impney, h., Impney Mill, i m. NE. of Droitwich. 12 c.
Imney; 13 c. Ymenege, Imenye, S. R. A. S. masc. p. n.
Imma (gen. fmman), and ig, M. E. ege, eye, ey, Imma's island.
The old meaning of island included 'watery land.' The p
in the modern form is excrescent, as in Hampton (q. v.).
Inardstone, f., in Redmarley. 12 c. Inardstone ; 1380
Inardstone, Inarstone. A. S. p. n. Isenheard (Iron-hard), later
Isnard, and tun (v. Ton) Isenheard's town.
Ing. This A. S. word plays a conspicuous part in pi.
names. It is said to have two meanings: (i) a patronymic
sense, ' sons or descendants of,' equivalent to the Irish O', or
Scotch Mac; (2) a possessive sense, 'the property of or
belonging to.' The evidence of the use of the word in
a possessive sense is unsatisfactory, and rejected by some
A. S. scholars ; v. Bosworth-Toller, s. Ing. A medial ing is
92 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
common in modern pi. names, which, on investigation,
frequently turns out to represent a gen. -an ; e. g. Abingdon
(A. S. Abbanduti); Huntingdon (A. S. Huntanduri); and v.
Aldington.
Inkberrow, 4^ m. W. of Alcester. 789 Intanbeorgas,
C. S. 256 ; 802 Intanbergum, Intanbeorgan, C. S. 307 ; and
similar forms in many subsequent A. S. charters ; D. Inieberge;
1275 Inkbarewe, S. R. A. S. p. n. Inta, gen. Intan, and
beorh, dat. sing, beorge, pi. beorgum, beorgan Inta's hills.
Ink, in the form of 1275, can hardly be an 'interpretative
corruption.' The word is O. F. enque, mod. encre, and is
first found in our language, in 1250, as enke.
Inkford, h., in Wythall. 1784 Inkford. Ink- is certainly
a corrupt form. This h. has no connexion with Inkberrow,
which lies 10 m. S. V. Ford. There is a stream here called
Inkford Brook. Cp. Inkpen (Berks.), 931 Ingpenne.
Insetton, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. This is pure A. S.,
in-scstan, in-dwellers, inhabitants, settlers. The terminals in
Dorset, Somerw/, have the same root, sceta. Cp. Woodset/on,
in Sedgley, Staffs.
Ipsley, i m. S. of Redditch. 963 ^Eps leage, C. S. mi ;
D. Epeslei. This is A. S. ceps, &spe, the white poplar the lea
of the white poplar ; the word is sometimes applied to the
black, and black Italian poplar, and alludes to the quivering
of the leaves ; v. Ley.
Isborne, river, falls into Avon at Evesham. 709 Estgbum,
C. D. 1368 ; 777 Esegburn, C. D. 131 ; 988 Eseburne, C. D.
662; 1002 Esingburn, C. D. 1295. The prefix is clearly
the A. S. p. n. spelt, at various times, Esig, Ese, Esi = Esig's
(g=y) burn, brook.
Ismere House, 3 1 m. NE. of Kidderminster. By a Latin
charter of 736 ^Ethelbalt, king of the Mercians, grants to
Cyniberhti, for the foundation of a monastery in the
province ' which of old time is called Husmere, upon the river
called Stur (Stour), ten hides of land, having to the north
INKBERROWISMERE HOUSE 93
the woody region called Cyntbre (Kinver Forest?) and to
the east another (woody region), the name of which is
Moerheb, whereof the greater part belongs to the before-
mentioned lands.' By a Latin charter, c. 757, ' Ceolfrith the
Abbot,' son of ' Cyneberht/ with the consent of Offa, king
of the Mercians, grants to Milred, Bishop of Worcester, inter
alia, fourteen hides of land 'in the province of Usmere at
Sture? It would seem that the monastery was not founded
by Cynebeorht, and that Ceolfrith 'for the good of their
souls,' and with the consent of the king, gave the lands to
the bishopric of Worcester. Up to the dates of these
charters counties had not been formed outside Wessex, and
the country was divided into 'provinces,' each province
having a 'subregulus' (governor) under the king. In 964
Eadgar, 'King of Albion,' grants to Earl Beorhtnoth an
estate called ' Culnan Clif ' (Cookley), the boundaries of which
are set out in Anglo-Saxon. They commence at ' Usmere'
to Cuthred's tree (on the bounds of Wolverley), thence to the
Stour, then to Horsebrook, to Cenunga ford, to the wood, to
Cynefares stone (Kinver's boundary stone), again to Stour,
to Windover, and again to Usmere. ' Usmere ' is clearly
identified with Broadwaters, the ancient and present boundary
between Kidderminster and Wolverley passing through the
middle of the lake. Mere in Anglo-Saxon means a lake,
but I can place no acceptable construction on Hus- or Us-
in connexion with mere; indeed, we do not know to what
language that stem belongs. Ismere House is, I believe, the
only representative of the ancient province of Husmere. The
name was current in 1505; it is then recorded that 'the
monks of Halesowen had at Husmore in barren Kye,
8 oxen belonging to the cellarer, and 1 1 fat beeves for the
Kechyn, 140 schepe, and 60 lambys.' The estate was at
that time a Grange to the Abbey (Nash, ii. App. xxii).
' Us may be Mod. Eng. Ouse, a river name (A. S. Wt'sa) ; cp.
Wisbeach, on the Nene, anciently called the Ouse.' (Skeat.)
94 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Kedgos (The), ancient farm in Wichenford. A kedge is
a small anchor used in mooring or warping a vessel, but this
farm is far from any navigable river, though it is close to the
Laughern, a considerable, but not navigable stream. There
is a Ketch Coppice on Severn side, 2 m. S. of Worcester, at
the junction of Teme and Severn, and Ketches Farm in
Bishampton.
Kelmesham, h., in Bredon (on O. M. Kingsham). 14 c.
Kelmesham, Kilmesham. Kelm probably represents the
A. S. p. n. Cynehelm, later Kenelm 'Cynehelm's village.'
V. Ham.
Kemerton, 5 m. NE. of Tewkesbury. 840 Cyneburgincg-
tun, C. S. 430. A. S. fern. p. n. Cyneburh ' the town of the
sons of Cyneburh.' V. Ing and Ton.
Kempsey, 4 m. S. of Worcester. 799 Kemesei, C. S.
2 95 } 977 Cymesige, C. D. 612 ; D. Chemesige; 1275 Kemesey,
S. R. The Bishop of Worcester had a palace and park
here ; Henry II held his Court here on some of his frequent
visits to Worcester, where he was crowned; and in 1265
Simon de Montfort and Henry III lay at the palace. There
was also a monastery here in 799 which lasted about fifty
years, and was then absorbed by Worcester. The prefix is
the A. S. p. n. Cymen, which would yield Cymenesige, and
in mediaeval form Kemsey, later Kempsey (excrescent />). The
terminal is A. S. -ige, an island (or watery land). Kempsey
lies on Severn ; there does not appear to be any island here,
but much land liable to flood.
Kenelm's (St.) Chapel, 2\ m. S. of Halesowen. 1430 and
15 c. Kelmestowe, Kelmysstowe ; 1327 Kelmestowe, S. R. The
saint's real name was Coenhelm, of which Kenelm is a late or
corrupt form. Kelmstow Kenelm's place, was the name of
the hamlet near the chapel. It was a great place for pilgrims.
The legend of St. Kenelm is told in Amphlett's History of
Clent, p. 6.
Kenilworth. There is, or was, a place of this name
KEDGES KETTLES WOOD 95
about 3 m. E. of Worcester. It is mentioned as Cynelde
weorthe in C. S. 1298, an. 974, and as Cinilde wyrthe in
C. D. 670, an. 980. It is the A. S. fern. p. n. Cynehild, and
weorlh, property or farm (v. Worth) 'Cynehild's farm.'
Kenilworth, in Warwickshire, has a similar root. I have
often been impressed by the number of females who appear
as landowners in A. S. times. Women must then have
occupied a good social position.
Kenswick, 4^ m. NW. of Worcester. D. Checinwiche ;
12 c. Checkingwic ; 13 and 14 c. Kekingwik, Kekyngewyke,
Kekesivych. The prefix, I think, represents the A. S. p. n.
Cyging, and the original form would be Cygingeswic
Cyging's village (v. Wich). This place gave name to an
old Worcestershire family, now represented, I believe, by
' Kekewich.' Keckewich, in Cheshire, has probably a similar
root, but has better maintained its form.
Kersewell, h., in Kempsey (i| m. SE. of). 1275 Kerse-
welle, S. R. ; 1346 Kereswell, S. R. A. S. cerse, (water-)
cress; wiell, M. E. welle, a spring Watercress spring.
This is a case of metathesis. The r, more than any other
consonant, has a tendency to shift, i. e. sometimes to precede,
and sometimes to follow the vowel. ' Cresswell ' is a common
name ; the A. S. form is rarely preserved.
Kersoe, h., in Elmley Castle (i m. SE. of). 780 Criddesho,
C. S. 235; 1275 Crydesho, Cridesho, S. R. I think the
prefix is a form of the A. S. p. n. Creoda, Crioda, Cryda
(variants); A. S. hoe, a hill Cryda's hill (v. Ho). Curd-
worth, Warwickshire (D. Credeworde) is 'Creoda's worth'
(farm).
Kettles Wood, Long Kettles Wood, in Frankley,
probably takes name from William Ketel, or Nicholas Ketel,
who were living in Frankley in 1275, S. R. Ralph Ketel
and Hugh Ketel also witness Frankley Charters in the 13 c.,
and other Ketels are frequent witnesses or parties to local
charters down to 1482.
96 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Kidderminster. D. Chideminstre ; 12 c. Kideminstre;
13 c. Kydelminster, Kyderminstre, Kydermunsire. D. is the
first record we have of Kidderminster, though A. S. charters
relating to adjacent manors are numerous. The terminal is
plainly A. S. mynster, M. E. muns/er, minstre, a church or
monastery ; as there is no reason to suppose a monastery
ever existed here we must construe it 'church.' The
difficulty is with the prefix. The D. ch represents c hard,
and treating the forms as Kide-, Kider-, or Kydel-, it seems
impossible to make anything of them in A. S., and one of
the best Welsh scholars of his day, the Rev. D. Silvan Evans,
could make nothing satisfactory of them in Welsh, apart
from the usual objection of a prefix and terminal in different
languages. Cydda was an A. S. p. n., but the forms do not
justify its application.
King and Queen Stones, on Bredon Hill. A court
leet for the hundred of Oswaldslow was formerly held here
(Nash, Introd. Ixi, citing Parly. Survey of 1647).
Kingsford, h., in Wolverley. 964 Cenunga ford, C. S.
1134; 1275 Keningeford, S. R. ; 1300 Kyngesford, Kynyng-
ford (Peram. of Kinver Forest). Here Cen- is a short form
of some p. n. commencing Coen- (such as Coenhelm, Coenred,
Coenric), later Cen- and Ken- ; unga = tnga (v. Ing), and so
we get ' the ford of the descendants of Coen or Cen ' (v. Ford).
There is a small stream here.
Kings Heath, in Kingsnorton. Kingsnorton belonged
to the Crown; hence 'Kings' is a common name in the
Manor.
Kingsnorton, 5 m. SW. of Birmingham. D. Nortune
(berewick in Bromsgrove Manor), belonged to the Crown
from the Conquest to Henry III, and again from Edward IV
to James I; 1275 Nortone, S. R. ; 1327, 1332 Norton, S. R.
King's North town.
Kingswood, h., in Kingsnorton (i^- m. E. of). 1275
Kingeswode, S. R. Kingsnorton belonged to the king, and
KIDDERMINS TER KNIGHTON-ON- TEME 97
the woods and wastes were his property as parcels of the
Manor.
Kington, io m. W. of Worcester. D. Chintune, 'Eilaf
and Tori held it in the time of King Edward (the Confessor),
and they had an enclosure (haia) in which were taken wild
beasts'; 1275 Kyngton, S. R. ; 1340 Kynlon. I think an
A. S. form would give us Cyne-tun, royal town (v. Ton),
from its having been the residence of some early king.
Kinnersley, in Severn-Stoke (i m. E. of). Crx Kinnersley
in W. Herefordshire, Kinnersley in Salop. These places
supply the forms which are here lacking, and yield Cyne-
heardesleage, Cyneheard's lea (v. Ley).
Kitwell Farm, Kitwell House, Kits Well, in Northfield.
Peter Kytte was living in Northfield in 1275 (S. R.) ; Kittelond,
Kitte's land, is also mentioned in a deed of 1362 relating to
Warley-Wigorn. Kitt is a short form for Christopher.
Knap. Knap Farm in Alfric ; Cold Knap Wood in
Dormston; Fidlers Knap in Elmley Castle; Colliers
Knap in Broadway; Dornap in Broadway. A. S. cnap,
M. E. knap, a small hill. Cp. Knowle.
Knaven Hill Farm, Knavenhill Wood, in Alder-
minster. This is A. S. Cnafan-hyll. Cnafa means a boy
or servant (our knave in cards) ; but it was also a p. n., and we
cannot tell whether this is ' Cnafa's hill/ or ' the servants' hill.'
Knighton, h. in Inkberrow (\\ m. E. of); a common
name, generally found in A. S. in its dat. form at Cnihta-tun ;
it is A. S. cniht, a boy, servant, and tun, town (v. Ton).
After the Conquest cniht came also to mean ' a soldier, man-
at-arms,' and later, ' a man of gentle birth trained to arms.'
I assume this place to be of A. S. origin, and therefore
translate it ' the servants' town.'
Knighton-on-Teme, 3 m. NE. of Tenbury. 957
Cnihtalune, C. S. 1007; n c. Cnihtatun, C. D. 952; D.
Cnistetoun; 1108 Cnihtelun\ 'the servants' town' (v.
Knighton, ante). A. S. cniht is our mod. 'knight,' but the
H
98 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
meaning has varied. The hi in Cni^/ was novel to the
Norman scribes of D., and they commonly wrote it si; but
v. Knightvvick.
Knightsford Bridge, h., in Doddenham. This name
probably follows from the vicinity of Knightwick (q. v., post).
The ' ford ' doubtless refers to the passage over the river
Teme before the bridge was built.
Knightwick, 9 m. W. of Worcester. 738 Cnihtwic,
C. D. 1023; 964 Cnihtawice, C. S. mo; D. Cnihtewic;
'the servants' village' (v. Wick). Where the name is
clearly A. S. this is the proper construction. In mediaeval
times the word was commonly applied to a man-at-arms, and
' knave ' was used for a boy or servant.
Knowle, or Cnoll, in Alvechurch. 1275 de la Cnolle,
S. R. A. S. cnoll, M. E. knowl, k?wll, a small round-topped
hill ; a common name for hamlets and manors.
Kyre Wyre, 4 m. SE. of Tenbury. D. Cuer, Chuer ;
1 1 08 Cyr; 1275 Cure Wyard, S. R. This is W. Cwr,
a border, edge, limit, corner. The manor lies on the
boundary of the counties of Hereford and Worcester, which
here forms a sharp triangle; the Wyards were its early
Norman lords.
Langley, h., in Halesowen. A. S. cet langan leage, long
lea (v. Ley). Here the A. S. form has maintained itself, as
it often does with this very common name.
Lappal, h., in Halesowen. 1335, 1347 Lappole; 1342
Thomas atte Pole; 1347 Thomas de Lappole, Nicholas atte
Pole; 1381 William at Pool; 1454 La Pole; all Lyt. Chs.
This name appears to have originated at a time when
Norman-French was the courtly and legal language of the
country. The French la is added to the A. S. pol, M. E.
pole, pol, pool the pool. There are some large pools here
adjacent to the river Stour; v. Lifford and Pull Court. A
curious instance of the effect of a Norman la upon a pi. name
KNIGHTSFORD BRIDGE LECH MERE 99
is Lasham, in Hampshire, D. Esseham, the homestead in the
ash (trees). In 1284 a Norman scribe writes it L-as-ham,
and Lasham becomes the name.
Larford, h., on right bank of Severn, i m. S. of
Stourport. 706 Leverford, C. S. 171. It appears by the
charter that there was a weir here for catching fish 'ad
vadum qui nuncupater Leverford' ; 1327 Lorford, S. R. A. S.
lafer-ford the rushy ford. The weir remains.
Larkborough, f., i m. SE. of Bretforton. 709 Lauerke-
boerge, C. S. 125. A. S. lawerce-beorh lark hill; cp. Lafercan
beorh (Lark Hill) in Evenlode, C. S. 1238; Lark Hill, i m.
E. of Worcester; Lafercan beorh in Cutsdean, C. S. 1299;
and Omerlond, C. S. 1298; omer=- hammer = yellowhammer.
Laughern, or Lawern, h., Lawern House, Lawern
Farm, Laughern, river, in Wichenford. 757 Lawern, C. S.
219; 970 Lawern, C. S. 1139; 985 Lawern, C. D. 699; in
three other A. S. charters also Lawern; D. Lavre (?#=).
The river flows into the Teme 2 m. SW. of Worcester.
Notwithstanding the early forms and their consistency,
I am unable to interpret 'Lawern,' or to make any useful
suggestion.
Leaden, river, South Worcestershire, tributary of the
Severn. 972 Ledene, C. S. 1282; 978 Ledene, C. D. 619.
I am unable to translate this. Ledbury and Upleadon (on
its course) appear to derive their names from it.
Lea End, 2 m. N. of Alvechurch. D. Lea (berewick of
Bromsgrove) ; 1275/0 Leye, i" th' lee, in the lee, S. R. A. S.
leak, pasture (v. Ley). ' End ' is a mod. addition, not meaning
the ' end of the lea,' but its locality. V. End.
Lea Hall, in Yardley. 1275 Elyas de la Lee, Ranulph atte
Lee, S. R.; 1746 Lee hall. The hall on the lea (v. Ley).
Leasowes (The), mansion and estate in Halesowen.
LCBSU is a word of uncertain origin, meaning ' meadow land.'
It is regarded as dialectic, but is used throughout England.
Lechmere. There appears to have been a place so
H 2
100 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
named in Hanley Castle, now apparently obsolete, though
probably giving name to an ancient county family. Reginald
de Lechemere, Philip de Lechemere, and Richard de Lechemere
are assessed to the S. R. of 1275, under Hanley. There
seems to have been another 'Lechemere' in Hanbury,
Richard de Lechemere being assessed to the 1327 S. R., under
Hanbury. Nash, i. 560, says : ' This family (Lechmere) came
out of the Low Countries, served under William the
Conqueror, and obtained lands in Hanley called from them
Lechmere's Place. . . Lech is a branch of the Rhine, which
parts from it at Wyke, in the province of Utrecht, and
running westward falls into the Maas before you come to
Rotterdam. M. S. Thomas/ Then follows the pedigree,
commencing apparently about 1250. This is a very unlikely
story. The river in Holland, which ' Thomas ' drags into it,
is 'Lek,' not 'Lech.' What brought a Dutchman fighting
under William ? If he did so fight, how is it his name is not
recorded in Domesday, or elsewhere before 1275 ? Then the
name is unmistakeably Old English, and is recorded, not as
a family name, but as a pi. name ' of Lechemere.' Family
names only commenced to be used in the 13 c. Leche,
lache, is a M. E. word, meaning a morass, swamp, bog, and
mere is a pool ; in compound ' a boggy pool or lake,' a
swamp (v. Skeat's Notes on English Etymology,, under
' Lake ') ; A, or B, ' de Leche, 1 i. e. of the swamp, are common
names in 13 c. records.
Leigh, 4! m. W. of Worcester. D. Lege (g=y)-> I2 c -
Lega ; 1275 Leya, S. R. A. S. leak, pasture land (v. Ley).
Leigh Sinton, h., in Leigh. I do not doubt that Sinton
is the name of some former owner of the hamlet, but I have
been unable to discover any trace of the family. It is not
once mentioned by Habington or Nash.
Lench, Linch, Lynch, Link, are frequent elements in
pi. names. The root is A. S. Kline, thus described by
Seebohm (Village Communities, 5) : 'A ... peculiar feature of
\
LEIGH LENCH IOI
the open field system in hilly districts is the " lynch," and it
may often be observed remaining when every other trace of
an open field has been removed by enclosure. Its right
of survival lies in its indestructibility. When a hillside
formed part of the open field the strips almost always were
made to run, not up and down the hill, but horizontally
along it ; and in ploughing, the custom for ages was always
to turn the sod of the furrow downhill, the plough con-
sequently always returning one way idle. If the whole hill-
side were ploughed in one field, this would result in a gradual
travelling of the soil from the top to the bottom of the field,
and it might not be noticed. But as in the open field system
the hillside was ploughed in strips with unploughed balks
between them, no sod could pass in the ploughing from one
strip to the next ; but the process of moving the sod down-
wards would go on age after age just the same within each
individual strip. In other words, every year's ploughing
took a sod from the higher edge of the strip and put it on
the lower edge; and the result was that the strips became
in time long level terraces one above the other, and the
balks between them grew into steep rough banks of long
grass, covered often with natural self-sown brambles and
bushes. These banks between the plough-made terraces are
generally called lynches, or linces ; and the word is often
applied to the terraced strips themselves, which go by the
name of <; the linces.". ' The H. E. D. gives ' Linch, a rising
ground, a ridge ; a ledge ; ... an unploughed strip serving
as a boundary.' There is difficulty in identifying the five
Worcestershire 'Lenchs" in A. S. charters. They are
mentioned as Lench, Hwitan Hlince, Lenc, and Lence in
C. S. 134, 511, 1241, and C. D. 637, 797. Cp. Whitlench
in Hartlebury, Evelench, f. in Tibberton, Lench, f. in Ink-
berrow, Link End in Eldersfield, Malvern Link.
Lench (Abbots), or Hob Lench, h., 5 m. N. of Evesham.
D. Abeleng ; 1275 Habbelenche, Lench Sacrisle, S. R. This
102 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
place never had an ' Abbot.' That word is only a modern
interpretative corruption of its earlier prefix, which probably
represents a p. n. (perhaps JEbbe), but the forms are scanty.
For Lench, v . Lench, ante.
Lench (Atch), h., in Church Lench. D. Achelenz; 13 c.
Achelench. Professor Skeat is of opinion that the D. -ache
here represents an A. S. hcecce (dat. of h<zc\ Mod. Eng. hatch,
a half door which may be closed while the upper half is open ;
also any small gate or wicket. Cp. Colney Hatch, Hatch
Beauchamp in Somersets., and Falstaff speaks of ' the manor
of Yickt-Hatch,' Merry Wives, ii. 2. V. Skeat's Place-Names of
Herts, s. Stevendgv, where the terminal represents an original
hcecce (ce^cfi). It appears from a Lyt. Ch., No. 24, 13 c.,
that there was then, in Church Lench, a h. named Acheton,
apparently now obsolete. For Lench, v. Lench, ante.
Lench (Church), 5^ m. NW. of Evesham. D. Circelenz;
13 c. Chirchelench. A. S. circe, church Church Lench.
D. records a priest here, and there was doubtless a church,
hence the name. For Lench, v. Lench, ante.
Lench (Bouse), 5 m. N. of Fladbury. D. Biscopesleng ;
A. S. Biscopes, Bishop's, because the manor belonged to the
bishops of Worcester as superior lords. It was afterwards
Lench Randolf, from Randolf de Lench who, in the 12 c.,
held the manor as under-lord; from his descendants it
passed to the Rouse (Rufus) family, whence it took the name
of Rouse Lench. For Lench, v. Lench,, ante.
Lench (Sheriffs), h., in Church Lench. D. Lenche ;
1275 Shirr evelench; 13 c. Shyrrevelench ; 1332 Lench Vice-
comitis, S. R. The Beauchamps, through Urse d'Abitot,
(the D. tenant, and Sheriff of Worcestershire) were hereditary
sheriffs and held this manor ; hence Shyrreve, sheriff. Some
meadows here are called ' Sheriffs Leasows.' For Lench, v.
Leneh, ante.
Lenchwlck, h., in Norton, z\ m. N. of Evesham. 709
Lenchwic, C. S. 125; 714 Lencuuicke, C. S. 130; D. Lench-
LENCH LICKEY HILLS 103
wic; 1275 Lenchwyk, S. R. Lench village; v. Lench, ante,
and Wich.
Leopards (or Lippards) Grange, Leopard Wood,
Leopard Hill, 2 m. NE. of Worcester. 969, C. S. 1240,
that up on thone hyll be hi'onan lippard (then up on the hill
on this side of lipperd); 972 endlong gear des that in Upper des
gemare (along the ' yard ' (I do not know in what sense this
word is used) thence to the boundary of lipperd), C. D. 68 1 ;
1275 Lippard, S. R. ; 16 c. Lypperde. It is not 'leopard';
that is an O. F. word, not used here till the 14 c., nor is it
an A. S. word. It may be a hill or river name in some
prior language.
Ley, Leigh, Lea, Ly, Lay. These common terminals
are from A. S. leak, gen. and dat. leage (g=y\ M. E. ley, leye,
lay, le, open unfilled land used as pasture, the unenclosed
parts of a manor, which might be grassy, bushy, woody, or
varied. For brevity I translate the forms as ' pasture.'
Leys (The), h., in Alvechurch. 1275 William de la Leye,
Edith de la Leye, John hi y* lee, Nicholas in the Lee, S. R.
V. Ley.
Leys (The), in Mathon. 1275 Robert de la Lee, Roger
de la Lye, S. R. V. Ley.
Libbery, h., in Grafton Flyford (i m. SW. of). 972
Hleobyri, C. S. 1282; 1327 Leobury, S. R. A. S. hleo,
refuge the burh (v. Bury) of refuge; but Hleoburh (gen.
burge, dat. byri] was a fern. p. n. (only once recorded) and
may be the root here. It is however unlikely, as a p. n.
nearly always carries a suffix, like -ton, -ham, -wick, &c.
Lickey Hills (The), near Bromsgrove. r 330 John de
Bysshopeston tenuit balliam forestarie de Leckheye, I. P. M. ;
1386 Leckhey. This is a Celtic survival, common in the
names of hills and rivers ; it is W. Llech (pi. Llechi], I. and
G. lie, leac, a flag- (flat) stone. In Ireland Lick- is a frequent
prefix, e. g. Lickmolassey, the flagstone of (Saint) Molaise,
Lickeen, little rock, Lickfinn, white flagstone; in Scotland
104 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Leek- and Lie- are also common; in England Leek in
Staffordshire, and Lickhill in Durham, are examples. On
a portion of the Lickey Hills the rocks are exposed and
laminated. The terminal hey in the forms is used in the
sense of a division of a forest for administrative purposes
(v. Hay). I read the meaning as ' the Hay of the flagstones.'
The ' forest of Lickhay ' does not appear to have formed any
portion of Feckenham Forest, to which it adjoined, and its
history has never been dealt with.
Lickhill, ancient estate, i m. W. of Stourport. 1696
Lickill; 1799 Lickey, Lickhill. This place lies in a meadow
on Severn side. I doubt if the terminal is hill; it is more
likely to be ey, a M. E. form of ea, running water ; but the
forms are too late for judgement. V. Lickey Hills.
Lifford, h., in Kingsnorton (i m. N. of). The S. R. for
1275, sub Norton, record Adam de la Forde, Thomas de la
Forde, and Richard de la Forde. The h. is situate on the
Icknield Street, where it crosses a stream. ' Lifford ' is not
once mentioned by Habington or Nash, or in any earlier
record ; I think it is a modern compound of La forde (v.
Lappal, and Ford).
Lightwoods. Lower Lightwood, Little Lightwood,
Middle Lightwood, Upper Lightwood, in Cotheridge.
Light represents A. S. hlith, M. E. lith, lyth, a slope, hill-
side; a final th commonly becomes /; v. Hanger. Cp.
Lyth, post.
Linch, v. Lench.
Lincomb, h., in Hartlebury (2 m. SW. of Stourport).
706 Lincumbe, C. S. 116; 15 c. Lynkcombe. A. S. lin cumb,
the flax valley.
Lindon, h., in Kingsnorton. 1275 La Lynde (2), S. R. ;
1332 La Lynde, S. R. A. S. lind, the lime (or linden) tree.
The terminal don is a mod. addition, or may represent an
earlier -den. V. Lindon, post.
Lindon, Upper and Lower, in Rock. 1275 Lindene,
LICKH1LL LONG EYE 105
S. R. A. S. tind, the lime (or linden) tree, and denu,
valley.
Lindridge, 7 m. E. of Tenbury. D. Linde; 1275 Linde-
rugge, S. R. A. S. Lind, the lime-tree, and hrycg, M. E.
rugge the lime-tree ridge.
Line holt, h., Lincholt Common, 2 m. S. of Hartlebury.
140. 'The wood called Lynholt, where is a common of
pasture of the whole country' (translation), Hab. 282. I have
no doubt the form represents an earlier Lind-holt, 'linden
(lime-tree) wood.' Shakespeare (Temp. v. i) writes: 'In
the line-grove which weather-fends your cell.'
Linthurst, h., in Bromsgrove. A. S. lindhyrst the lime-
tree wood. Cp. Lyndhurst, in Hampshire.
Lint Mill, in Bromsgrove. A lint-mill is a flax-mill,
flax and lint being related.
Littleton (North), Littleton (Middle), Littleton
(South), 4 m. NE. of Evesham. 709 Littletom, C. S. 125;
714 Lytletun et alia Litleiun, C. S. 130; 10 c. thry lytlen
tunes (three little towns), 3 C. D., p. 395 ; 986 Lutletone,
Lytletun, C. D. 654; D. Liteltune. A. S. lytel, M. E. lytel,
luttel, &c., little, and tun, town (z>. Ton) Little town.
Littleworth, h., in Norton-by-Kempsey. Little farm
(0. Worth).
Loggerheads, f. in Hanbury. Loggerheads is a Midland
name for the Knapweed (Centaurea m'gra), which flourishes on
wet land. Much of it has disappeared under modern drainage.
Longdon, 2| m. SW. of Upton-on- Severn. 972 Lang-
dune, C. S. 1281; 972 Longandune, Langandune (datives),
C. S. 1282; 1046 Langdune, C. D. 804; D. Longdune.
A. S. Lang-dun, long hill (z;. Don).
Longdon, h., i m. SW. of Tredington, near Shipston-
on-Stour. D. Longedun; 1275 Longedon, S. R. A. S. Lang-
dun, Long hill (v. Don).
Long Eye, h., in Bromsgrove. 972 Longaneye (dat.),
C. D. 570; 1275 Langleye, S. R. The early form yields
106 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
'long island,' and is consistent with the mod. form. The
form of 1275 is produced by dissimilation of the second n to
/, a common change. The word 'island' was formerly
applied to elevated land, nearly or quite surrounded by
a marsh, and to ' watery land ' (v. Ey).
Lovington, h., in Hallow (i m. SW. of). Probably A. S.
fern. p. n. Lufu (whence surname Love], late gen. Lufan.
An A. S. Lufantun would produce a mod. Lovington Lufu's
town (v. Ton). Lovington, in Somersetshire, was Lufandun,
Lufa's hill, in 854, Lofintune in 1046, and Lovintone in D.
Low, a common terminal, from A. S. hlaw, M. E. laive,
lowe, a mound, hillock ; but, in pi. names, may always be
read ' burial-mound/ ' barrow.'
Lowe (The), f., in Wolverley. 1275 de la Lowe (2), aite
Lowe, S. R. V. Low.
Low Hill, h., i m. SE. of Spetchley. 977 Oswaldes
hlaw, C. D. 612. V. Oswaldslow.
Low Hill, in Hartlebury ; The Low Farm, in Abbots
Morton ; The Low, h., in Church Lench. V. Low.
Low Hill Farm, in Cofton Hacket. A. S. hlaw, M. E.
lawe, lowe, a burial mound. In a charter of 849 relating to
Cofton Hacket, C. S. 451, 'the two small barrows by south
of Coenberht's grave ' are referred to as on the bounds of
Cofton. This farm is on the bounds, and is probably the
locality referred to. The country (it is part of the Lickey)
seems to have been very wild, 'heath,' 'thicket,' 'moor,'
' mere,' ' wood,' ' the roe's lair,' ' the hart's wallowing place,'
' the red slough,' being part of its description.
Luckalls Farm, in Alfric. 1275 Lokewelle, S. R. ; 1327
Locwelle, S. R. ; 1340 Locwalle. The terminal is M. E.
welle, a spring ; A. S. loc, M. E. loc, lock, in pi. names, means
an enclosed or locked-in place (e.g. the lock on a canal).
Exs.': Wenlocb, "Porlock, Lockmge, Lockton. The word is
allied to G. loch, I. lough, a land-locked body of water. The
meaning here I take to be an enclosed spring.
LOVINGTON LYE 107
Elide, Luyde. This is a M. E. word, frequently found
in pi. names, the meaning of which appears to be unknown.
It is found in the Worcestershire S. R. of 1275 as W. atte
Lude, under Abbots Morton, de Ludeton, under Aldington,
de Ludesbury, Lodesbury, under Bellbroughton ; in the S. R.
of 1327 as J. atte Lude, under Inkberrow, R. atte Lude, under
Sapey Pichard. In the Lyt. Ch., 1367, we find W. atte
Luyde, and J. atte Luyde de Roulegh (Rowley) ; in a Hales-
owen deed W. atte Luyde de Cradeley, 137 1. In Staffordshire
in the 13 and 14 c. it is found as Lude, Luyde, in the Lude,
men of the Lude, the field of the Lude, at the Lude, of the pit
of the Lude, now represented by Lloyd House, 4 m. S. of
Wolverhampton. D. records two Lude, one Ludes, Ludebroc,
Ludeburg, Ludecerce, Ludecote, five Ludesforde, four Ludewelle,
Ludewic, and other places commencing Lud- and Lude,
The word must be A. S. as Ludepol juxta Severne is found
in C. D. 654. Cp. Ludlow.
Lulsley, h., 7 m. E. of Bromyard. Lull was an A. S. p. n.
Probably Lull's lea (v. Ley).
Lutley (Upper), Lutley (Lower), Lutley Mill, h., in
Halesowen. D. Ludeleia; 1275 Ledeleye, Lodeley, S. R. ;
1327 Lodeley, 1349 the field of Lodeley called Shortwode;
1365 the manor of Lutteleye, Lyt. Ch. The prefix is plainly
Lude (q. v.) (v. also Ley).
Lydiate, h., in Bellbroughton ( m. S. of), a common
name. A. S. hlidgeat (g=y\ M. E. lidyate, a swing gate,
a gate set up between pasture and arable land, or across
a highway.
Lydiate Ash, h., in Bromsgrove (3 m. N. of). V.
Lydiate, ante.
Lydiate Lane, Halesowen. 13 c. Nonemonnes Lydegate,
Lyt. Ch. ; 1432 lying between . . . <$,- the highway leading from
Hales to Nomonslideyate. ' No man's gate.' V. Lydiate, ante.
Lye (The), Lye Cross, Lye Waste, hamlets, in or near
Cradley. Lye is only a M. E. form of ley (q. v.) (unfilled
I08 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
land, pasture). In the Lyt. Ch. 13, 14, and 15 c. the name
appears as Lye, Lyegh, Lyghe, Lee, Leeh.
Lyndeworth, in Northfield or Yardley. D. Lindeorde
(berewick of Bromsgrove) 51275 Lyndeworthe, S. R. j. North-
field. The terminal -orde in the D. form must be read
worthe, the Normans writing d for a medial or final th, and
not using w before o or u. A. S. Lindworth, the farm of the
lime-tree.
Lyth (The), h., in Ombersley. A. S. hlith, a slope, hill-
side ; cp. Lightwoods, ante.
Madresfleld, 6 m. SW. of Worcester. 12 c. Medeleffeld;
1275 Madresfelde, S. R. ' The forms are scanty, but I think
they yield us an A. S. Mceth-keres fdd Msethhere's field.
Norman scribes wrote d for a medial th, which they could
not pronounce, hence the modern form Mcethhere is a
recorded p. n.' (Skeat.)
Malvern (Great), Malvern (Little). D. Malferne;
13, 14, and 15 c. Malverne, occasionally latinized to Malvernie.
Not mentioned in any A. S. charter. I think this name has
its root in some archaic language. I can make no useful
suggestion.
Malvern Link, in Great Malvern. 1275 Lynche, S. R. ;
1327 atte Lynke, S. R. F. Malvern, and Lench, ante.
Mamble, 6 m. W. of Bewdley. 957 Momela, C. S. 1007 ;
D. Mamele; 1275 Momele. There is a dialectic verb 'to
mamble, momble, mumble/ M. E. mamelen, momelen, meaning
' to talk nonsense, jumble together, stammer,' and the addition
of r would make it a substantive ; but its application to a pi.
name is unlikely ; it is not recorded in A. S. There is no
other Mamble known.
Mare Furlong Farm, in Blockley. The homestead
stands on the boundary of the counties of Worcester and
Warwick. A. S. mcere, a mere or boundary. V. Furlong.
Marl Cliff, h., and Marl Cliff Hill, in Cleeve Prior.
LYNDEWORTH MENITH WOOD 109
a. 872, Martian Ctive; later A. S. Maranclive, Mearnanclif,
Mernanch've. The / in Marl seems a mod. addition. The
map to Nash's Worcestershire, c. 1790, gives ' Mar Cleeve,'
as does Taylor's map of Worcestershire, 1772. Nash, i. 236,
says : ' Here are quarries of very good stone . . . ; some of
it bears a very fine polish, like Derbyshire marble. ... By
means of the Avon large quantities of it are sent to distant
parts.' A. S. marman clif, marble cliff.
Martin- Hussingtree, 3 m. SW. of Droitwich. 972 in
Mere tune, in Husentreo, C. S. 1282; D. Husenlree; 1275
Hosintre and Merlon, S. R. Formerly in two manors, united
between 972 and the date of D. A. S. mere, a pool, lake
Pool town (v. Ton). Husantreo (dat.), Hussa's tree. The
dat. an commonly becomes ing.
Martley, 8 m. NW. of Worcester. D. Mertelai, Merlie ;
1275 Mertdee, S. R. Our word 'mart,' a place of trade, is
M. E., a mere contraction of ' market,' and was not used at
the time of U. Professor Skeat suggests it may be M. E.
mart, from A. S. mearth, a marten = Marten lea ; v. Ley.
Mathon, 3 m. W. of Great Malvern. D. Ma/ma; 1275
Mathine, S. R. ; 15 c. Mathan. Another incomprehensible
name. The prefix Math- looks like W. ; cp. Mathern, and
Mathavarn, both in Wales.
Mearse (The), f., in Bromsgrove (2 m. NE. of) ; Mearse
Farm, in Bellbroughton. Mearse may be a form of A. S.
mersc, M. E. mersche, a marsh ; but if so it is irregular.
Melly, h., in Halesowen. 12 c. Melley, 13 and 14 c.
Meleford, Melele, Melley, all Lyt. Ch. Mell, Mele, are M. E.
forms of Mill, A. S. mylen the Mill lea (v. Ley).
Meneatt Wood, in Abberley. John Meneye is assessed
to the S. R. in 1327, sub Lindridge, an adjacent parish, and
Stephen de Menyate, sub Mamble and Sodington. The
terminal is, I think, M. E. yate (A. S. geat\ a gate, but the
prefix is too corrupt to rely upon ; cp. Menith Wood.
Menith Wood, in Lindridge (2 m. E. of). 13 c. Menhey
A
I
I TO WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
wood, Le Menhey ; 1718 Meneth Wood. The terminal seems
to be 'hay' (q. v.), but the prefix is corrupt; v. Meneatt
Wood.
Mere Brook, forms the boundary between Hanley Castle
and Welland. ' Boundary brook.' A. S. mare, M. E. mere,
meer, a boundary.
Mere Ditch, or St. Adborough's Ditch, Seven Wells
Farm, on the Cotswolds, forms the boundary of Broadway,
and also the boundary between Worcestershire and Gloucester-
shire, c. 1450 Seyni Adboroughes Dyche, alias Mere Dyche.
Broadway belonged to the Abbey of Pershore ; the monks
doubtless dug the ditch to mark their boundary, and named
it after their patron saint, Eadburh (fern.). This was a
common practice with them. The ditch is now almost
effaced by a wall. A. S. mcp.re, a boundary.
Merry Brook, falls into Avon at Cropthorne. An old
meaning of 'merry' was 'pleasant, delightful.' 'Merry'
England does not mean merry in the sense of jocund,
mirthful.
Middleton Hall Farm, in Northfield (between North-
field and Kingsnorton). John de Middleton is a frequent
witness to charters relating to Northfield, Frankley, &c. in
the 1 3 c. Lyt. Ch. ; John de Middleton and Alicia de Middleton
are assessed to the 1275 S. R. s. Weley and Selley. The
family here clearly took its name from the place, which
means Middle town (v. Ton).
Milestone. There is a curious entry in C. S. 219, a. 757,
which refers to Wic (probably Povvick), on the W. side of
Severn, and about a mile from Worcester : ' From the burn
to mila stane, from the stone to the haran (boundary) apple-
tree ; from the apple-tree to Doferic (a stream), from Doferic
to Severn, and along Severn to Teme mouth.' This
milestone must have been a Roman one, the A. S. never
using such things. It probably marked the first mile from
Worcester to Kenchester, a Roman Station 5! m. NW. of
MERE BROOK MOOR END III
Hereford. I do not think that a milestone is recorded in
any other A. S. charter.
Mitton, now commonly called Stourport. 841 Myttun,
C. S. 433; D. Mettune; 1275 Mutton, S. R. ; 1327 Mutton,
S. R. A. S. (ge)mythan, a derivative of muthan, a junction
of streams (sometimes of roads). The ge dropped off in
late A. S. In M. E. the forms are generally Mutton, later
Mitton, or Mytton. Sweet (Student's A. S. Diet.) correctly
gives the meaning as ' waters-meet.' A few places retain the
older form Mythe, alone or as a prefix. At this place the
Stour falls into Severn. V. Ton, and Mitton, post.
Mitton, chapelry in Bredon, i m. NE. of Tewkesbury.
964 Myttune, C. S. 1134; 965 Muctone, C. S. 1106; 1033
My tune, C. D. 751; in other charters Muctune, Muttune,
Mytton, Milune, Mitton (the c is a mistake for /, those letters
in A. S. being much alike) ; D. Mitune\ 1275 Mutton, S. R.
This hamlet lies at the junction of Carant Brook with the
Avon. On the opposite side of the Avon, at its junction
with Severn, is ' The Mythe.' V. Mitton, ante, and Ton.
Mon.eyh.all, or Monyhull Hall, in Kingsnorton (i \ m. E.
of), moated. 1275 R. de Monhulle, S. R. ; 16 c. Monihills
(belonged to the college of Westbury, near Bristol). The
terminal is 'hill' (M. E. hull], but I cannot translate the
prefix. It is probably corrupt.
Monkwood, a large wood in Grimley parish, 4 m. NW. of
Worcester. 1275 Monckeswode, S. R.; 17 c. Munke wood.
It belonged to the monastery of Worcester ; hence the name.
Monsieur's Hall, i m. W. of Bromsgrove, so called
because during the French Revolutionary Wars (1793-1815)
it was occupied for some years by a refugee gentleman.
Moor, in Rock. D. More; 1275 Mora, S. R. A. S.
mor, a moor, swamp.
Moor, h., in Fladbury, 2 m. NE. of Pershore. D. More.
A. S. mdr, a moor, swamp.
Moor End Farm, Moor End Cross, in Mathon. 1275
112 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Philtpp de la Morend, William de la More, S. R. (v. Moor,
ante).
Moor Green Hall, in Kingsnorton, is probably referred
to in the S. R. of 1275, s. Northfield, in 'John in the More'
' Peter above the More', ' Roger above the More'. V. More.
Mopsons Cross, h., 2\ m. SW. of Bewdley. There is
a curious entry in D. which perhaps accounts for this name.
Under the head of ' Land of Roger de Laci ' in ' Doddingtree
Hundred,' the manors of Stockton and Stanford are recorded ;
then, under 'Ash Hundred,' follow the manors of Shelve,
Kington, and Martley ; and at the bottom of the page, an
evident addition, is ' The same Roger has half a hide in
(Droit) Wich, Aluric mapesone held it. There are eleven
burgesses, and one salt pan and a half, rendering 32 mittas
and a half. This manor belongs to his manor of Hereford.'
Then follow the records of other manors in Doddingtree
Hundred, in which Mopsons Cross is situate. Perhaps
' Aluric mapesone ' is the man referred to by ' Mopsons Cross.'
The hamlet stands at cross roads.
More, Moor, common terminals, from A. S. mor (moor),
M. E. mor, more, moore. The word is usually applied to
waste, swampy land; but sometimes to high, waste ground,
untimbered.
Morton Folliot, v. Castle Morton.
Morton Underbill, h., in Inkberrow (i \ m. N. of). 990
Mor tune, C. D. 674; 1275 Mor tone, S. R. ; 1326 Morion
Underhull. A. S. Mortun, moor or fen town. Underhull,
under the hill, is a M. E. addition, given to distinguish it
from other Mortons. The village lies at the foot of a con-
siderable ridge.
Moseley, h., 2\ m. S. of Birmingham. D. Museleie,
one of the 18 berewicks of Bromsgrove (including Kings-
norton). The D. form is not to be relied upon, as mus means
a mouse ; Moseley is a very common name, generally found
in A. S. as Mosleage, a moss or marsh lea. V. Moseley, post.
MOOR GREEN HALL NAPLETON 113
Moseley, h., in Hallow, 3 m. NW. of Worcester. 816
Moseleage in Subbingwic, C. S. 357; 851 Mosleage, C. S.
462; 961 Mosleage, C. S. 1139. A. S. mosleage, a mossy
or marshy lea (v. Ley).
Moundosley Hall, i m. SE. of Kingsnorton. Mundes
dene (Mund's valley) is mentioned in a charter describing the
bounds of Yardley, C. D. 570, a. 972, but this place is quite
2 m. from the bounds of Yardley. Mund was an A. S. p. n.,
probably here represented.
Mucken Hill, h., 4 m. SE. of Worcester. D. Mucenhill;
1275 Mokenhulle, S. R.; 1346 Mokenhulle, S. R. Muca
was an A. S. p. n., of which Mucan would be the gen. form
Muca's hill.
Mucklow Hill, in Halesowen. 1424 John Moghlowe,
Mokelowe, Thomas in le Hay, als Moklowe; 15 c. Moughlow,
Muklow, John Moughlowe, de hulle all Lyt. Ch. The
forms are late, and do not afford material for accurate judge-
ment, but an A. S. Mucan-hlcew Muca's low, or burial
mound would be a likely root ; v. Low.
Murrell's End, h., in Redmarley d'Abitot. 1459 More-
helde End, alias Morellynde. The first form is clearly Moor-
slope-end (v . More, and End) ; held is a M. E. word (variants
hield, heeld) for a hillside, slope. It is rarely found in
pi. names, but we still speak of the heel over of a grounded
ship ; v. H. E. D. s. Hield. Morellynde is a good example
of mediaeval corruption.
Naflbrd, in Birlingham, 3 m. S. of Pershore. D. Nadford,
afterwards Nafford. The ford (v. Ford) doubtless refers to
the crossing of the Avon here. I am unable to make any-
think of the prefix Nad-, either as a p. n., or an A. S. word ;
it is probably corrupt. There is no other Nadford or Nafford
in England.
Napleton, h., in Kempsey (| m. SE. of). 1275 Appelton,
S. R.; 1327 Appelton, S. R. This is plain Apple town
114 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
(= Orchard town) (v. Ton). The initial N is 'transferred.'
A. S. at fham=M.. E. at ten (both meaning ' at the') ; then
the n is transferred, and we get ' atte Nappelton/ the atte
finally being discarded. Cp. Noverton, Norchard, Nurton.
In the S. R. for 1327 we find 'atte Novene,' 'atte Nelme/
which would originally be ' at ten Oven,' ' at ten Elm/ at the
Oven, at the Elm.
Nash (The), h., in Kempsey(i m. S. of). 12 c. Robertus
de Fraxino (Robert of the Ash); 1316 Atenasche, Le Asche.
This is an instance of a transferred N. From M. E. at ten ash
=at the ash, we get alte Nash, and finally Nash. V. Naple-
ton, Noverton, Norchard, &c. The name is a common one
for hamlets, or single houses, but, being of late M. E. origin,
is not manorial. Referring to the first form it is well to
mention that mediaeval scribes translated pi. names, or
p. names, the meaning of which was understood, into the
language of the document they were writing, so that
names appeared in A. S., L., N. F., or M. E. garbs,
according to the fashion of the day, and a landed family
might find their charters describing them as ' de Bosco,'
' get Hurst,' ' en le Greve,' or ' atte Wode/ all meaning ' of
the wood.'
Naunton, h., in Ripple (i m. N. of). 1275 Newinton,
S. R. ; 1327 Newynton, S. R. The nom. A. S. form would
be Neowa-tun, new town (v. Ton) ; but the dat. (and most
pi. names are moulded on dat. forms) would be at thcem
Neowan-ttine at the New town. Generally these forms
become Newton, Newington, or Newnton ; but in Worcester-
shire and Gloucestershire (nowhere else) always Naunton,
doubtless under dialectic influence. It will be observed that
the change took place after 1327.
Naunton, h., in Severn Stoke. 1275 Newinton, S. R. ;
v. Naunton, ante.
Naunton Beauchamp, \\ m. N. of Pershore. 972 in
Ntwantune, C. S. 1282; D. Newentum; 1275 Newynton,
NASH NIMMINGS FARM 115
S. R. The Beauchamps held the manor for some centuries,
and their name was subsequently added to distinguish it
from other Nauntons. V. Naunton, ante.
Nommings, or Nymings, a wood in Churchill, near
Kidderminster. 1420 Saundres Neniyngs, Lyt. Ch. Nemung
(correctly m'mung) is a rare A. S. word (M. E. nimen,
nyman), ' a taking by force/ and in pi. names ' an enclosure
from the waste.' These enclosures were always going on,
and were termed, in different localities, Ridding, Royd,
Falling, Breach, Birch, Stubbock, Assart, Newland, &c.
V. Nimmings Farm.
Netherton, h. T 2\ m. SW. of Pershore. 780 Neolheretune,
C. S. 235; D. Neoiheretune. This is nether (lower) town,
as compared with some other 'ton' which stood relatively
above it, and which might be called Overton (A. S. ofertun),
Over, Upper, town.
Netherton, h., in Dudley ; Netherton, h., in Ribbesford ;
Netherton, h., in Abberley. V. Netherton, ante.
Newbold-on-Stour, in Tredington,'4 m. from Shipston-
on-Stour. 991 Nioweloldan (dat. pi.), C. D. 676; 12 c.
Neweboli; 1275 Newebold, S. R. A. S. Niowe bold, new
house. This is a common name ; in the North it appears
as New&z/t/ and Nevibtggin, biggin being the Norse
equivalent for bold.
Newland, h., 2\ m. NE. of Great Malvern. 1275 Nova
Terra (Newland), S. R. This means a new enclosure from
the waste, or forest, which encircled all our early settlements.
Rowlands Farm (moated), 3 m. SE. of Worcester, in
Norton juxta Kempsey. 1275 Newelond, S. R. V. Newland,
ante.
Newnham, in Lindridge, near Tenbury. 1007 Neowan-
ham, C. S. 957; 1043 Neowenham, C. D. 916; 1066
Neowanham, C. D. 952. 'New home, or village' (z>.
Ham) ; the forms are in the dat. case.
Nimmings Farm, in Cofton Hacket. V. Nemmings.
I 2
Il6 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Noake (The), ancient estate in Hartley. 1327 Robert
de Noke, S. R. at the Oak. V. Nash.
Nobury (Great and Little), hamlets in Inkberrow (i m.
SE. of). 1356 Newborough, Novus burgus ; 1416 Newberry;
1690 Newberry. This, according to rule, should be New-
bury=New burh (v. Bury).
Woken Farm, in Grimley. 15 c. Nokenham. For the
terminal, v. Ham. Noke is a M. E. form of nook, a corner,
secluded place; but by the 15 c. Noke, Noak, had become
a family name. I incline to read it ' the village or dwelling
in the nook/ but the medial n in the form is perplexing.
Noke was not an A. S. p. n., but a M. E. one, coined from
' at ten Oke.' V. Nash.
Norchard (Upper and Lower), in Rock (\\ m. S. of).
1327 atte Nor chard, S. R. The N is transferred, and the
right name is 'Orchard'; v. Napleton. There was, in 1332,
a Norchard ' in Severn Stoke, and there is a Norchard House
in Peopleton.
Norchard, h., in Hartlebury (i m. S. of). 1327 atte
Norchard, S. R. V. Norchard, ante.
Norgrove, in Feckenham (2 m. N. of). 1379 North-
grave, later Norlhgrave, and Norgrove, Northgrove (A. S.
grdf, M. E. grove, a grove, small wood).
Northampton, h., in Ombersley (i| m. NW. of). I
assume it to be an old name as there are many -hamptons
in Ombersley and Astley. It means North-home-town.
V. Ham, Ton, and Hampton.
Northfleld, 6 m. S. of Birmingham. D. Nordfeld', 12
and 13 c. Nor tf eld, Norfeld, Norfeud, Northfeld North field
(v. Field).
Northingtown, h., in Suckley. 1275 Northinton; 1327
Northinton, S. R. The original form would be at tham
Northan tune, at the North town. Cp. Northington, h., in Holt.
North Littleton, v. Littleton.
North Piddle, v. Piddle (North).
NOAKE NUNNERY WOOD 117
Northwick, h., in Claines, 2 m. N. of Worcester, c. 1108
Northwike; D. Norwiche; 1275 Northwyk, S. R. North
village. V. Wich.
Northwick, h., in Blockley, z\ m. NW. of Moreton
Henmarsh. 964 Northwic, C. S. 1134; 1275 Norlhwyk,
S. R. North village. V. Wich.
Northwood, i m. N. of Bewdley. 1275 Northwode,
S. R. Northwood (M. E. wode), which meant ' wild land '
brushwood, moor, or timber.
Norton, h., in Kempsey (2 m. NE. of). 1275 Nortone,
S. R. ; 13, 14, and 150. Norton. North town (v. Ton).
Norton, on the Avon, 3 m. N. of Evesham. 709 Norton,
C. S. 125; D. Nor tune. Sometimes called Abbots Norton,
because it belonged to the Abbots of Evesham. North town
(v. Ton).
Norton, h.,in Oldswinford, near Stourbridge. V. Nortons,
ante.
Norton-by-Bredon, or Bredons Norton, h., in Bredon.
780 Northtun, C. S. 236 ; 989 Northlun, C. D. 670 ; D. Nor-
tune. North town (v. Ton).
Noverton, h., and Noverton Farm, in Stanford-on-
Teme (i m. S. of). Nash, i. 248, calls this ' Overton,' and
afterwards ' Overton or Noverton.' The initial Nis transferred,
and we must read this as in A. S. Ofertun, M. E. Overton
Upper town (v. Ton and Napleton, Nash, Noake, Norchard,
and Nurton). Cp. Noverton, in Prestbury, N. Gloucestershire.
Nover is not an English word, and has no meaning. It is
noteworthy that all instances of a transferred N are confined
to hamlets, or single dwellings. Manors, being recorded in
D., and from time to time in official documents, are less
liable to change.
Nunnery Wood, in Inkberrow ; so named because the
land belonged to the nuns of Cookhill (q. v.), in Ink-
berrow, from the i2th c. to the time of the Dissolution,
c. 1536.
II 8 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Nunnery Wood, in Westwood, belonged to the nuns of
Westwood, a Benedictine cell subject to the Abbey of
Fontevrault, in France.
Nunnery Wood, and Nunnery Farm, 2 m. E. of
Worcester, in St. Martin's parish, belonged to a Benedictine
nunnery in Claines ; the nuns, from their dress, gave name
to Aston White Ladies (q. v).
Nurton Farm, i m. W. of Abberley. 1327 W. atte
Noverton; C. atte Overlon, S. R. In the same S. R. this
place appears as Overton and Noverton, showing that in
1327 the n was dropping off the old form of atten and
attaching itself to the following (v. Napleton, Norchard,
Nash, Noake, and Noverton). The right form here is
Overton, earlier 0/ertun, and the meaning Upper town,
as opposed to Netherton. In M. E. v between vowels
was commonly written u ; hence Nouerton, and finally
Nurton. There is a Nurton, h., in Pattingham, Staffordshire,
which has precisely the same history.
Nuthurst, in Bellbroughton. 1275 Notehurst, S. R.
A. S. hnut-hurst, M. E. Notehurst Nut wood.
Nymings, v. Nemmings.
Oakhampton, h., in Astley. 1275 Okhamtone, S. R. This
is Oak-home-town (M. E. ok, oke oak). The p is intrusive.
Ockeridge Wood, Ockeridge Waste, in Little Witley.
1332 Ocrugge, S. R. Oc-, Ocke-, probably represent a M. E.
form for ' Oak.' The terminal is M. E. rugge (A. S. hricg),
a ridge (of hilly land) = the Oak ridge.
Oddingley, 3 m. S. of Droitwich. 816 Oddingalea, C. S.
356; 963 Odduncalea, Oddunggalea, C. S. 1108 ; D. Oddunclei;
1275 Oddingeleye, S. R. The terminal is ley (q. v.), untilled
land, pasture. Odding is not a recorded A. S. p. n., but
Odda 'is, and the inga I think is patronymic, giving us ' the
lea land of the sons (or descendants) of Odda.' There were
several magnates of that name connected with Worcestershire,
NUNNERY WOODOFFERTON FARM 119
but the men who held the plough also wrote their names
upon the land.
Offas Well, h., i\ m. NW. of Bromsgrove (on O. M.,
1831, Offads well '). This should be ' Orford's well/ from
a family named Orford, who occupied the cottage adjoining
the spring during the early part of the ipth c.
Oflenham, 2 m. N. of Evesham. 714 Vffaham, C. S.
130; 860 U/enham, C. D. 289; D. Offenham; 1275 Off en-
ham; 1327 O/enham, S. R. ; 1332 Uffenham, S. R. The
omission of the gen. n in the first form is probably only
contraction as practised by mediaeval scribes ; the original
charter has perished, and only late copies remain. It is
difficult to say whether we must read this as ' the home of
0/a, or Ufa? both being A. S. p. names, or variants of the
same name. (' Probably Uffa, written 0/e by Normans : they
wrote o for u, but not u for o.' Skeat.) The Abbot is said to
have had a house here.
Offerton Farm, in Hindlip, 4 m. NE. of Worcester. 972
dilfladetun, C. D. 570 (then belonged to Pershore Abbey) ;
D. Alcrintune^. (Bishop of Worcester) ; 1275 Alfverton, S. R. ;
1 6 c. Alcrinlon, now called Alfrelon; 18 c. Affrelon. I
am not sure that the D. Alcrintune represents this Offerton,
but Habington, Nash, and Mr. Round (Hist, of Worcester-
shire) accept the identity. The first form is doubtless the
correct one. ALlflad (for ^Elf-flsed) was a fern. A. S. p. n.,
borne by a daughter of Offa, a Mercian king (757-786),
who, like his predecessor Offa, was a great benefactor to the
Church in Worcestershire, and elsewhere. It is not unlikely
that the place was named in her honour, but ^Elflsed was
also the name of many other women. The intrusive r in
Offerton may be accounted for by the similarity of dLlflad to
Alfred, and the later forms favour that suggestion ; but how
an A. S. sElfladelun (the correct form) could become a D.
Alcrintune it is difficult to imagine. The correct interpreta-
tion is certainly ^Elflsed's town ; v. Ton.
120 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Offmoor Farm, Offmoor Wood, in Halesowen. 1288
Offemore; 1316 Offemor; 1326 Uffemore; 1415 Offemore
grange (belonged to Halesowen Abbey), Lyt. Ch. ; 1549
Ujfmore. The terminal is ' moor ' (v. More) ; the prefix
doubtless represents the A. S. p. n. Offa (or Uffa) Offa's
moor (v. Offenham). This or the following Offmoor gave
name to a Worcestershire family of Uffmore. Corruption of
names still goes on. The Ord. Map, i in. 1831, records
this place 'Uffmoor/ that of 1891 ' Houghmoor.'
Offmoor Farm, i m. E. of Kidderminster. 1327 William
in the Moor, S. R. (perhaps refers to this place) ; v. Offmoor,
ante.
Oldbarrow, 2^ m. W. of Henley in Arden. 709 Ulen-
beorge, C. S. 124; 714 Ulbeorge, Ulenbeorge, C. S. 130; D.
Oleberge; 1332 Ullelury, S. R. Here we have A. S. gram-
matical forms giving us ' the hill of the Owl.' Nash says
there is an ancient tumulus here ; if so the terminal beorge
probably refers to it, as it is the root of our modern ' barrow '
(q. v.). The charter of 709 mentions ulan wyllan, the owl's
spring. It is curious that Ullenhall, the adjoining parish, in
Warwickshire, has preserved its right name. Elham, in
Kent, was Ulaham, 'the owl village or home,' before the
Conquest.
Oldbury, h., Oldbury Farm, Oldbury Grange, Old-
bury Wood, 3 m. NW. of Worcester. 972 Ealdanbyn,
C. S. 1282 ; then belonged to the Abbey of Pershore. The
form is correct A. S. for 'at the old burh' (v. Bury). It is
not unlikely that the place was so named by the Saxons
because it had been a British settlement.
Oldbury, 6 m. E. of Birmingham. The probability is
that it was A. S. cet Ealdanbyrig, M. E. Aldebury, Olde-
bury (v. Oldbury, ante). This manor was formerly in Salop,
and consequently does not appear in Worcestershire records.
Oldenhall, h., in Clent. 12 c. Holdenhill, Lyt. Ch. ; 13 c.
Aldenhulle, Oldnulle, Aldehull, Oldenhull, Oldenhale, Holden-
OFFMOOR FARM OMBERSLEY 121
hull, Holdenhale-, 14 c. Oldenhulle, Oldehulle. Clearly 'Old
hill.' It is curious that the prefix has preserved its dat. form,
en, for so many centuries.
Oldington, h., 2 m. S. of Kidderminster. D. Aldintone.
At the time of Domesday this place belonged to the Conqueror
as a berewick (farm) appurtenant to Kidderminster. The
D. form represents an A. S. Ealdantune (dat.) Old town.
The dat. an has generally become ing. But Ealda was an
A. S. p. n., and Ealdantun (gen.) would also be Ealda's town.
I see no material for election.
Oldswinford, i m. SE. of Stourbridge. D. Suineford;
1275 Sivyneford, S. R. ; 1340 Oldeswynesford, Old Swyne-
ford. A. S. Swinford, 'the swine ford.' The locality, in
primitive times, was only a clearing in the forest, and the
pasturage of swine in the woods was important. Kingswin-
ford lies 4 m. NW. ' King ' and ' Old ' are M. E. additions
to distinguish one place from the other.
Ombersley, 6 m. N. of Worcester. 706 Ambreslege, C. S.
116; 714 Ambresleie, C. S. 130; D. Ambreslege. In the
charter of 706 Ombreswelle is referred to, and in three A. S.
charters relating to adjoining manors Omberselena genuzre
(the boundary of the ' Omber ' folk) is mentioned, so that
Ambre and Omber may be treated as variants. The terminal
is plain ' lea ' (v. Ley) ; but neither as an A. S. p. n. nor word
can I make any sense of the prefix. D. records Ambreforde
(Yorkshire), Ambrelie (Amberley, Sussex), A mbresberie (Ames-
bury, Wilts.), Ambresdone (Ambrosden, Oxon.), Ambretone
(Bucks.), Ambritone (Bucks.), Amburlege (Amberley, Hereford-
shire), and no Ombre-. These names appear to have the
same root as Ombersley, and I think the prefixes must
represent a p. n. Though 'Ambrose' was not an A. S.
name there was a famous saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, in
the fourth century. Ombersley and the other places mentioned
may have been named after him, though all their churches
are dedicated to other saints. ('Certainly a proper name
122 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
beginning with Amb- ; perhaps ^Zmbriht, an occasional form
of Eanbeorht? Skeat.)
Oney Coppice, in Lindridge. This is probably W. onen,
ash-tree the ash coppice. Cp. Onny, a river in Salop,
another in Herefordshire, Onibury in Salop, Onneley and
High Onn in Staffs., and Onneley in Salop. All these
places are near the ancient borders of Wales.
Orleton, 9 m. E. of Tenbury, on the Teme. D. Alre-
tune ; 1275 Olretone, S. R. ' Alder town.' A. S. alor, an alder
(tree), in M. E. becomes (among other forms) olre, V. Ton.
Orls. The Orls (wood), near Mathon; Clifton Orls
(wood), and Birch Orls (wood), in Severn Stoke. Orls is
a M. E. pi. form of A. S. alor, the alder-tree. ' Birch ' here
probably means a clearing (v Breach), and has no reference
to the birch-tree.
Osmonds Farm, in Ombersley (i m. E. of). Philip
Osmund was living in Ombersley in 1275, S. R., and Richard
Osmond in 1327, S. R. The farm probably derives its name
from that family.
Oswaldeslow Hundred, was formed in 964 (charter of
K. Eadgar, C. S. 1135) by consolidating three ancient
hundreds Wulfereslaw, Winburge tree, and Cuthbergelau.
The object of the grant was to unite in one hundred
the great possessions of the bishopric of Worcester and the
monasteries connected with it. Hence the detached manors
of Alderminster, Tredington, Shipston-on-Stour, Tidmington,
Blockley, Evenlode, Daylesford, and Cutsdean, which are
entirely surrounded by other counties. The charter conferred
great privileges on the bishops, making them practically
governors of the hundred ; it was made in the time, and on
the intercession, of Bishop Oswald, and terms the new
hundred Oswaldeslau. Hundreds were formerly of great
importance in local government and criminal administration,
and existed long before counties. There was a mound
called, in 977, Oswaldes hlaw, in Wolverton (C. S. 612).
ONEY COPPICE PARK ATTWOOD 123
It is now ' The Low ' (q. v.), and was probably a prehistoric
tumulus where the courts for one of the incorporated hundreds
had been held, the charter calling it Oswaldes Maw being
signed by Oswald himself. V. Spetchley, Sundays Hill, and
Round Hill.
Otherton, h., in Cotheridge, 3 m. W. of Worcester.
This is a rare name, though it means simply ' the other town '
(A. S. other) (v. Ton). There is an Otherton ' in Staffordshire,
which D. records as Orrelone ; a medial th always perplexed
a Norman scribe, and, as he could not pronounce it, he
substituted r, or, more frequently, d.
Overbury, 5^ m. NE. of Tewkesbury. 875 Uferebreodune,
vel Uferebiri, Vfera birig, C. S. 541; D. Oureberte; 1275
Overebury, S. R. The prefix is A. S. u/erra, upper; the
terminals are dat. forms of burh (v. Bury)' the upper burgh.'
It lies on the S. side of Bredon Hill.
Oxenton Hill, 4 m. E. of Tewkesbury. 977 Oxna dunes
cnol, C. D. 617 'the knoll of the down of Oxen.' Dun
and cnol have practically the same meaning. The charter
mentions ' bull ditch ' (bula dice).
Pale (The), in Leigh. 'Near to Cowley Park, on the
road to Leigh Sinton, there is a picturesque gabled house,
bearing the date MDCXXXI. This house is called " The Pale."
It was built by one who had acquired a large fortune as
a baker. He was not ashamed of the trade by the profits of
which he had become " a prosperous gentleman," and there-
fore resolved to call his residence by a name having reference
to his former occupation. The " Pale " is the name given
to the long wooden shovel on which the bread is placed
in order to be pushed into the oven' (Gentleman's Mag.,
1857, 180). Pale is a Worcestershire form of the word,
usually ' Peel.'
Park Attwood, an ancient estate in Kidderminster,
belonging to and occupied for several centuries by the
124 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Worcestershire family of Attwood. It was situate in the
Forest of Kinver. The family are described in mediaeval
charters as ' de Bosco ' and ' atte Wode.'
Park Farm, in Kempsey (\\ m. SE. of), so called
because the Bishop of Worcester had a palace and park here,
which Bishop Simon gave to a Beauchamp in 1121.
Parks Farm, Kings Parks, Park Hall, 1-3 m. W.
of Feckenham, mark the locality of the park which the
Crown had in Feckenham Forest on its enclosure (Hab.
i. 221).
Paxford, h., in and 2 m. E. of Blockley. 1275 Paxford,
S. R. There was no A. S. word or p. n. commencing Pax-
or Pack-. The prefix probably represents an unrecorded
A. S. p. n. Pace, gen. Pieces Psecc's ford. V. Ford.
Paxton, h., \ m. N. of Kidderminster. V. Paxford, ante,
and Ton.
Payford, h., Payford Bridge, in Redmarley d'Abitot.
1413 Payford. After the Conquest Pagan (g=y) became
a p. n. (whence our family name Paine, Payne). It meant
originally a peasant, countryman, not a heathen. The com-
pound should produce ' Painford/ and ' Payford.'
Peachley, h., Peachley Court, Little Peachley,
Peachley Grange, in Hallow. 1275 Pechesleye, S. R. ;
1340 Pechesleye. The prefix probably represents the M. E.
word peche, now peach (from O. F. peche), and our family
name Peach Peche's ley (v . Ley).
Peasbrook, f., in Broadway. 972 Pisbroc, C. D. 570.
The modern name is a correct translation of the A. S. one.
The homestead stands on a small stream, forming the
boundary between Broadway and Childs Wickham, as it did
in 972. A. S. pise, a pea; pi. pisan.
Pedmore, i \ m. S. of Stourbridge. D. Pevemore ; 1 2 c.
Pebbemore; 1262 Pebbemore; 1275 Pebemore, S. R. ; 1340
Pebmore. The Ardens of Park Hall, Castle Bromwich, were
ancient lords of this manor until 1643. Curiously enough
PARK FARM PENNCRICKET LANE 125
they owned also the ' Peddimore ' Hall estate (a double-
moated homestead) in Sutton Coldfield, otherwise there does
not appear to have been any connexion between the two
places. The prefix seems to be derived from the A. S. p. n.
Peobba. The D. form probably represents a parallel form
of this name, viz. Peqf, gen. Peofes (recorded in the
Northumbrian forms Peuf, Peufa). By germination of the
final consonant, a common Indogermanic way of forming
diminutive names, we obtain Peobba (bb is the regular
doubling of f, originally ). Thus we have Peobba's moor
(v. More). There was a Pebemore in Eldersfield in 1275,8. R.,
not now marked on the O. M. ; cp. Pebworth, Warwicks.
Pendock, 7 m. W. of Tewkesbury. 877 Penedoc, Peone-
doc, C. S. 542 ; 875 Peonedoc, C. S. 541 ; 964 Peonedoc,
C. S. 1134 ; 967 Penedoc, C. S. 1208; D. Penedoc, Peonedoc;
1275 Penedoch, S. R. Though the forms are so early
I cannot construe them. The prefix does not appear to
represent a p. n. Pendock lies 7 m. W. of Severn, and it
may be of Welsh origin (pen is quite Welsh); but I can
make nothing of Pendock in that language.
Penhull, h., iri Lindridge (3 m. E. of). 13 and 14 (?.
PenhulL Probably M. E.penn, a fold for cattle, sheep, &c.,
and hull, hill ' the hill of the fold ' ; but the forms are too
late to be trusted.
Penncricket Lane, Oldbury, near Birmingham, forms
a boundary between Oldbury and Halesowen ; it was also an
ancient county boundary, Oldbury having formerly been
a detached part of Shropshire. This is a curious instance
of a locality, of no importance, maintaining its right name
for nigh two thousand years. The terminal -et may be
rejected ; it is a mere popular attempt to find some meaning
in that which seems to have none, and is common in pi.
names. Crick, having no meaning to the ordinary mind,
became cricket. We have therefore only to deal with Pen-
crick, which in Celtic languages means 'the head (or
126 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
end) of the boundary.' The subject is fully discussed
in my Staffordshire Place Names, s. Penkridge, anciently
Pencric.
Penorchard Farm, in Clent. A family of ' Penn '
formerly lived here, and probably conferred their name
upon the place. Humphrey Penn died here in 1616
(Amphlett's Hist, of Clent, 120).
Pcnsax, 6 m. W. of Stourport. 13 and 14 c. Pensax,
Pensex. I can make nothing satisfactory of this in A. S.
or W. The prefix points to W., and Pensax is west of
Severn. Sax is an old form of W. sat's, Saxon.
Pensham, h., i m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Pedneshamme,
C. S. 1281 ; D. Pendesham\ 1275 Pednesham. The prefix
is the masc. p. n. Peden, gen. Pednes, formed regularly from
the base recorded in Peda, by means of the diminutive or
pet suffix -en. Pensham is situate on a curve of the Avon,
and hamme means ' riverside meadow-land ' ; v. Ham, b.
Peopleton, 4 m. NW. of Pershore. 972 Piplincgtune,
C. S. 1281 ; D. Piplintune; 1275 Pyptinton, S. R. From
the p. n. Pippel, a regular formation on the base represented
riy Pippa, Pippen, by means of the diminutive or pet suffix
-el. Hence A. S. Pipling-tun means the ' town of the sons
of Pip(p}el.'
Pepper Wood, Bellbroughton (2 m. SE. of). 1242
Purperode, I. P. M. ; 1294, Robert Pippard was one of the
verderers of Feckenham Forest; 15 c. Pepperroel alias
Hartilbury; appears to represent the Forest of Pyperode,
a portion of Feckenham Forest (Nash, i. Ixviii. 17). The
difficulty here is to find the right form ; Pyperode points to
A. S, pipe, a pipe, conveyance for water, and rod, a rood,
cross ; but that is not satisfactory. It may have been an
A. S. Pippan-rod, Pippa's cross (A. S. p. n. Pippa).
Pep well Farm, in Hartlebury. 1275 Richard de Pepe-
walle, Galfrid de Pepewalle, S. R. The right terminal is
probably ' well.' There is frequent confusion between well
PENORCHARD FARM PERSHORE 127
and wall in consequence of the Mercian form for well being
walk. An A. S. Pippan-wcelle, Pippa's well (spring), would
very likely produce a M. E. Pepewalle.
Perdiswell, h., 2 m. N. of Worcester. 1327 Perdeswell,
Pardeswelle t S. R. Perd- probably represents a p. n., but
I cannot correlate it ; the forms are late. Welle in A. S. and
M. E. may safely be translated ' spring ' ; ' wells,' though
made by the Romans, were rarely, if ever, constructed by
the A. S.
Perry. Small streams are frequently so named Perry
Brook in Kyre Magna, Perry Brook in Bockleton, Perry
River in N. Salop. Early forms of small river-names are
rare. I am not sure we are right in translating Perry
' Pear-tree ' (A. S. pirige, pirie], though streams are often
named from trees on their route ; but I can suggest no other
construction. A large number of hamlets and some manors
bear the name of Perry.
Perry, h., in Hartlebury. 1325 Pyrie. A. S. pirige
(g =y), pear-tree (v. Perry, ante, and Perry Wood, post).
Perry Wood, i m. E. of Worcester. 969 at thare
Pirian, C. S. 1240; D. Pirian. A. S. pirige, pirie, dat.
pi r tan ' at the Pear-tree.'
Pershore. 972 Perscoran (dat.), C. S. 1282; 1046
Perscoran, C. D. 804; 1066 Perscore, C. D. 829; A. S.
C. Per sore; D. Per sore] 1275 Per sore; all pronounced
Parshore. The terminal is A. S. ora (dat. oran), a border,
edge, bank. In A. S. persoc is 'a peach'; not a native
word, but borrowed from L. Persicus, a peach-tree, the tree
being supposed to have come from Persia. ' The Peach-tree
bank' is appropriate, as Pershore is situate on the Avon,
and has long been celebrated for the production of fruit. It
also seems impossible to give any other construction to the
forms. Mr. W. H. Stevenson wrote : ' If the forms can be
trusted (they are all late MSS.) it must be a compound of
ora and a common noun, since there is no inflexion ; it
128 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
cannot be the gen. of any p. n.' The suggestion that Perse
represents ' the peach-tree ' is Professor Skeat's, and I feel
sure he has solved the difficulty.
Phepson, v. Fepston.
Piddle, river, rising near Feckenham, and falling into
Avon near Pershore. 963 Pt'dele, C. D. mo; 972 Pidele
(dat. Pidelan), C. D. 1282. The word 'piddle' is not
admitted into any A. S. dictionary, though it is found in
A. S. charters. Piddletown, Dorsets., is Pyedele in C. D.
522, 656, and in D. Pydele. I believe it to be a good O. E.
word for a small stream. It is in common use in that sense
in the Midlands, especially among children. Cp. Piddle, river
in mid-Dorset ; some places on that stream take the name of
Puddle ; cp. also the word ' puddle/ the history of which is as
obscure as 'piddle.' PS. I find Kemble, 3 C. D. xxxv,
renders Pidele, piddle, a thin stream.
Piddle (North), 5 m. N. of Pershore. D. Pidelet, Pidele ;
1275 Pydele North, S. R. ; is situate on the river Piddle (q. v.),
and doubtless takes its name from it.
Piddle (Wyre), h., in Fladbury, 2 m. NE. of Pershore,
is situate near the confluence of the rivers Piddle and Avon,
4 m. S. of North Piddle, and quite disconnected from it.
D. Pidele', 1290 Wyre Pidele', 1327 Pydele, S. R. ; 1420
Wyre Piddle. I have no doubt it takes the name of Piddle
from the river of that name (q. v.). In W. wyre means
a spread, an expanse (of a river or anything); cp. Wyre
Forest, Wyre River, in Lancashire ; but W. words E. of
Severn are very rare, and must have been located centuries
before the Conquest ; here there is no ' evidence ' of wyre
before 1290, though it may have been in local use before it
was attached to the .name.
Pinvin, 2 m. N. of Pershore. 1275 Pendefen, S. R. It
is curious that no forms present themselves before 1275;
but I think the meaning is clear. Pendanfenn 'Penda's
fen' is probably the original form, the an being now
PHEPSON PITL1CK FARM 129
represented by e. Pendeford, 3^ m. N. of Wolverhampton,
is a similar case. Penda (' the terrible Penda,' as historians
term him) was King of Mercia, 626-655, and is said to have
taken Worcester, and raided the country, about 628. As the
name is not recorded to have been borne by any other A. S.
(perhaps because he was a heathen), it is not unlikely it may
refer to him and to some camp of his in the ' fen.' Pen-
dancsc Penda's oak is mentioned in a Worcestershire
charter of 849, C. S. 455 ; the locality near Cofton Hacket ;
a Pendiford is also mentioned in the S. R. of 1275 under
Bromsgrove and Kingsnorton, but appears now to be
obsolete. Penda is said to have conquered Hwiccia (con-
sisting of the present counties of Worcester, Gloucester, and
part of Warwick) and annexed it to Mercia.
Pipers Hill, 2 m. S. of Stoke Prior, a. 770 inpipan (on
bounds of Stoke), of pipan, C. S. 204. It is clear the
original form is Pipe, of which pipan is the dat. It is
difficult to say what kind of ' pipe ' is referred to. The
word is often used in old writings in the sense of a ' pipe/
perhaps of wood, for the conveyance of water. Pipe, near
Lichfield, takes its name from a conduit pipe, which from
remote times conveyed water thence to Lichfield.
Pirton, 5 m. SE. of Worcester. 766 Pirigton, Pyrigtun,
C. S. 221 ; 972 Pyritune, C. S. 1282; 989 Pirigtune, C. S.
66 1 ; D. Peritune; 1275 Periion, S. R. 'the town of the
Pear-tree.' A. S. Pirige (g =y), Pine, becomes Perry-,
Pi'r-, and Per-. Pirton is situate on a stream called Pyrig
in the charter of 972, so that it may derive its name from
the river; v. Perry.
Pitlick Farm, in Mathon. William de Pudlewyk is
assessed to the 1275 S. R., and William de Putlewyke to
the 1327 S. R., both s. Mathon. Puddle is not an A. S. word,
but appears in M. E. ; it seems to be a diminutive of A. S.
pudd, a ditch, a furrow (Skeat). It means a small pool of
muddy water Puddle village (v. Wich).
130 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Pitmaston, h., i m. W. of Worcester. 1275 Pitenan-
wesion, S. R. The terminal seems to be ' west town ' ; but
I cannot translate Pitenan, The form is probably corrupt.
There is an obs. Penitanham recorded in C. S. 85, a. 693,
by which Oshere, king of the Hwiccas, grants land to the
Abbess Cutsuida for the erection of a monastery ; but the
connexion between Pitmaston and Penitanham seems
unlikely.
Pitmaston, h., in Kingsnorton, v. Pitmaston, ante.
Pixham. Farm, Pixham. Ferry, on Severn, in Kempsey,
5 m. S. of Worcester. 1275 Pykerham, Pykresham, S. R. ;
1327 Pykeresham, S. R. ; 1340 Pykersham. Pikare, Pykare,
Pykre is a M. E. word, as ' Promptorium Parvulorum ' tells
us, for a ' lytylle theef,' and as the place is a ferry, it is not
unlikely to be the meaning here, and, being on Severn,
I should translate ham as ' meadow ' (v. Ham) ; ' the thief's
meadow' is not unlikely. (' Pt'kare=a picker, i. e. a stealer.'
Skeat.)
Plerimore, h., in Chaddesley Corbet. 1275 Pleyb-
mere, S. R. ; 1327 Plebemer, S. R. The terminal is A. S.
mere, M. E. mere, a lake, pool. (There is a large pool
here.) Pleyb-, Plebe-, I cannot translate; it is probably
corrupt.
Poden, h., in Church Honeybourne. 860 Poddanho,
Poddenho, C. D. 289 ; 1275 Poddeho, S. R. ; 1332 Podenho,
Podonho, S. R.; 1327 Podenho, S. R. A. S. p. n. Podda
and ho (dat. of hoK), ' a projecting ridge of land/ which for
brevity I term ' hill ' Podda's hill (v. Ho).
Pook, v. Puck.
Portway, a name applied to many ancient roads, which
antiquaries, consequently but erroneously, assume to be of
Roman origin. Port in A. S. means a port, haven ; but it
also means a town, and, when used inland, may always
be so construed. 'I will that no man buy out of port, but
have the /^/-reeves witness,' &c. (Laws of Edward the
PITMASTON PRESCOTT 131
Elder). 'And we have ordained that no man buy any
property out of port, over xx pence/ &c. ' That every
marketing be wilhin port,' &c. (^Ethelstan's Laws). Here
port is used in the sense of town or market. Portstrcet,
Portweg (g =j>), are words frequently occurring in A. S.
charters, and mean simply the town or market way. A road
so named is presumably of great antiquity, and may be
pre- Roman. The name is local, and often applied to parts
of Roman and other ways leading to market towns, beyond
which the name ceases. I know many Portways which
have no pretension to Roman origin. We had thoroughfare
roads before the Romans set foot in Britain. The following
Portways are mentioned in A. S. charters : Port street in
Himbleton (probably Trench Lane), C. S. 552 ; Port street
in Salwarp (probably Droitwich to Worcester), C. S. 360,
361, and C. D. 627 ; Portweig (g =y) in Hallow (Worcester
to Tenbury), C. S. 356 ; Port street in Oddingley (probably
Trench Lane), C. S. 1108; Port street in Battenhall (Wor-
cester to Tewkesbury), C. S. 1240 ; Port street in Waresley,
C. D. 627 (between Kidderminster and Worcester, part of
the Roman Way from Chester); Portweig, Portwege, in-
Wolverton (the old road between Worcester and London,
via Spetchley), C. D. 612; Portstreet in Teddington
(Tewkesbury to Stow-on-the-Wold), C. D. 617; Port
street in Lawern, C. S. 1108. V. Ridgeway, Ferdstraete,
Saltway.
Pouk, Powk, v. Puck.
Powick, 2 m. S. of Worcester. 1282 Poincgwic, C. S.
972 ; D. Poiwic ; 1275 Poyswyke; 13 c. Poywike, Poywick.
The terminal is wic, a village (v. Wich). Poincg- must
be two stems, Po- and ing, Po- being a short form of
Po(ha), and ing (q. v.) patronymic, yielding ' the village
of the descendants of Po(ha).'
Prescott, h., i m. SE. of Stourbridge. A common name.
A. S. preosles-, M. E. prestes-cot Priest's cot.
K 2
132 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Prickley Farm, Prickley Green Farm, in Hartley.
1275 Prieleye, Prielea, S. R. ; 1685 P richly, Nash, ii. App.
149 ; from a tombstone in Worcester Cathedral, ' John Harris,
descended from the ancient family of the Harris's of Prichly
in the county of Worcester, late keeper of the castle of
Worcester' (d. 1685). Prie is a dialectal word for the
common privet (Ligustrum vulgar e}; (v. E. P. Names, E. D. S.)
' the lea of the Privet ' ; v. Ley.
Puck, Pook, Pouk, Powk (variant forms), is the prefix
to many pi. names in this county and throughout the
Midlands, e. g. Puck Hill, i \ m. N. of Himbleton, Puck
Meadow in Hallow, Pook Lane in Stanford-on-Teme,
Puck Hill in Hanbury, Puck Hill in Acton Beauchamp,
Puck Lane in Stoke Prior, Puck Meadow in Oldberrow,
and several Puck Crofts. It is A. S. puca, M. E. pouke,
a fairy, elf, sprite. The word is widely diffused ; in W. it is
pwca, in I. puca, phooca (both borrowed from English),
and is familiar to all of us in Shakespeare's ' Puck.'
Spenser writes :
' Ne let the Pouke, nor other evill sprights, . . .
Fray us with things that be not.'
The belief in fairies and good and evil spirits was almost
universal in the Middle Ages, and Puck seems to have been
the chief of the domestic tribe of fairies, or brownies as- they
are called in Scotland ; Pucanwyl, Puck's spring, is mentioned
in C. D. 408, a. 946 (v. Hob). Puck must have been
regarded with a friendly eye; in the S. R. of 1275 five
families are assessed under the name of ' Pouke,' and two
in 1327. The family name now appears as Pooke.
Pudford Hill, Pudford Farm, Pudford Coppice, in
Martley. 1275 Podeford, S. R. Probably A. S. p. n.
Pudda Pudda's ford (v. Ford). The original (dat.) form
would be Puddan-ford.
Pull Court, ancient estate in Bushley, on Severn side.
D. Lapuh\ 1 2 12 La pulle \ 1275 La Pulle, S. R. This is
PRICKLEY FARM QUINTON 133
a mixture, A. S. pol, a pool, with the French La tacked to
it the Pool ; cp. Lappal, and Lifford.
Pulley Farm, in Salwarp (i\ m. SE. of). 10 c.PulIelea
(' between the Oak Wood and Pullelea/ A. S. charter).
A. S. pol, pul, pulle, a pool, and lea, the pool lea, v. Ley.
Farm names frequently carry us back to A. S. times, and
field names would yield many a story if traced to their
original forms, which are rarely accessible.
Purshall, h., 3 m. W. of Bromsgrove. 13 and 14 c.
Pershull frequently, later Purshull. The terminal is M. E.
hull, hill (q. v.). Pers- represents the M. E. p. n. Piers,
introduced here by the Normans (French Pierre]. ' Piers
Plowman,' the subject of the M. E. poet of the Malvern
Hills, or, as he writes it, ' Pers the Ploughmon,' is to us
' Peter the Ploughman/
Pyehill Farm, in Hartlebury. 1275 Thomas Pye was
living in Hartlebury, and was assessed to the subsidy; he
probably lived on or near the hill.
Queenhill, chapelry in Ripple, 5 m. NW. of Tewkesbury.
D.Cu'M/e, Chonhelme', u c.Cumhille, Cynhylle, Hem. 303;
1275 Quenhull, S. R. The earlier forms are difficult to deal
with. The Quenhull of 1275 is probably a case of ' inter-
pretative corruption,' as it is not consistent with the pre-
ceding forms. The terminal may be ' hill,' but the prefix
Cu'-, Chon-, Cum-, Cyn- t is too hard for me. Earlier forms
will have to be discovered before ' Queenhill ' can be inter-
preted. One thing is certain, that it is not ' Queen ' hill.
(' Perhaps Cyn-hyll, short for Cynehy 11= Royal hill.' Skeat.)
Quinton, h., in Bockleton (i m. W. of). 840 Cwentune,
C. S. 453; 1275 Quintone, S. R. A. S. Cwenanlun, 'the
woman's town ' (v . Ton). Quinton, in Gloucestershire, was
Cwentune in 840, C. S. 453. Many writers construe Quinton
as a place where the game of ' quintain ' was played, but
that game, and the name for it, was introduced here long
134 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
after the Conquest, and has no connexion with Cwentune.
In A. S. cwen meant a queen, and cwena, a woman; so
much for accents, though we rarely get them; in their
absence it is safe to accept ' woman/ because cwenan-tun
became Quinton, regularly.
Quinton, h., in Halesowen. V. Quinton, ante,
Radford, h., in Rouse Lench (i m. N. of). 1275 Rade-
ford. The terminal v&ford (q. v.). It is difficult, with only
M. E. forms, to construe rade, as it is used in pi. names for
' road,' and also for ' red.' It might here be Road ford
(A. S. rad, M. E. rade}, the h. being on an ancient highway
from Worcester to Alcester; but the form rather points
to an original at readan forda, which would yield a M. E.
Radeford Red-ford ; v. Reddall, Redhall, Redstone.
Radford Farm, Little Radford Farm, in Alvechurch.
1275 Radeford, S. R. (v. Radford, ante).
Ran Dan Woods, in Bromsgrove. Nash, i. 151, says
that in 1300 there were fifteen villages within the parish of
Bromsgrove, inter alia, Wrante, which appears to be obs.,
unless it survives under this modern name. Randan is a M. E.
word, but none of its meanings are acceptable as a pi. name.
Rashwood, h., i| m. NE. of Droitwich. 16 c. Rash-
woode, Raschehede. Formerly belonged to Bordesley Abbey.
I cannot translate rash, rasch, in connexion with either of the
terminals, one of which is ' wood,' the other ' head.' M. E.
rasch means ' rash ' ; rusche, rische, rishe, resche are variants
for ' rush,' but there is no evidence to support their application.
Ravenhills Wood, Ravenhills Green, in Alfric.
V. Ravenshill, post.
Ravenshill, in Tibberton (i m. S. of). 816 Rafneshyl,
C. S. 356; no. Rcefnes hylle, Hem. 267 ; 1332 Revenes-
hulle, S. R. A. S. Hrcefn, later Rafn, means a raven, and
was also a p. n. It is impossible to say whether a man or
the bird is here referred to.
QUINTON RED EARL'S DYKE 135
Rea, river, N. Worcestershire, tributary of Tame. Rea
has no meaning ; the R is intrusive, and the right word is
A. S. ea, a stream, running water; hence our numerous
Etons and Eatons (water-town), all on rivers. The intrusive
R arises thus: in charters we frequently find on thare ea
to the water ; thcere becomes the, but the r has survived by
attachment to the ea, hence Rea, a form never found till
long after the Conquest. For instances of a transferred
N v. Napleton, Nash, Noake, Norchard, Noverton, the
initial N having once belonged to the preceding word.
Rea, river, tributary of Teme, forms a boundary between
Staffordshire and Salop near Tenbury. Its ancient name
was the Nen (a. 957, C. S. 1007), preserved in place names
on its course, e.g. Neen Savage, Neen Sellers. W. nan/,
a brook, pi. neint. There is a river Nene in Northants and
Hunts. For the meaning of Rea v. Rea, ante.
Red Cross Farm, in Bromsgrove (i m. NW. of). No
forms or information. It adjoins Battlefield Farm, q. v.
Reddall Farm, in Warley-Wigorn. 1282 Radewelle,
Lyt. Ch. ; 1336 Radewelle; 1522 Radwelle Grange, belong-
ing to the monastery at Halesowen. ' The red well ' (spring),
probably from the colour of the ground ; v. Radford, Redditch,
Redhall, Redstone.
Redditch. 843 in readan sloe 'to the red slough'
(charter relating to Alvechurch), Hem. 7; 1300 Redediche
(Peram. of Feckenham Forest); 1642 Red ditch, Reddiche.
Redditch lies on the boundary of Worcestershire and War-
wickshire, and probably owes its name to a ditch cut in red
soil to mark a boundary. It lay within the limits of
Feckenham Forest.
Red Earl's Dyke, on Malvern Hills (Hollybush Hill),
the boundary between Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, commonly called the
Red Knight, c. 1290, married Joan d' Acres, daughter of
Edward I, who gave the Forest of Malvern to de Clare.
136 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Disputes arose between de Clare and the Bishop of Hereford
as to the bounds of their respective properties, and an agree-
ment being come to, this ditch was cut to mark the boundary.
Bedhall Farm, in Broom. 1373 Le Redenwall, Lyt.
Ch. ; belonged to the Black Ladies of Brewood, who owned
the manor of Broom. This may be construed ' red well '
(spring), or ' red wall ' (M. E. rede, red) ; but the form is too
late for certainty ; notwithstanding the form, the probability
is in favour of ' well' ; z>. Pepwell, Radford, Reddall.
Red Hill, in Kingsnorton (ij m. S. of), is called thonan
in readan sloe, swa in mare broc, thonan with heort solwe,
thonne with rah gelega ' thence to the red slough, and so to
the boundary brook, thence as far as the hart's wallowing-
place, thence as far as the roe's lair,' C. S. 455, a. 849. It
-would seem at this time that red deer and roe roamed in
Kingsnorton. ( The hart's wallowing-place ' is frequently
mentioned in early charters ; it was miry ground in which
the deer rolled to protect themselves from flies.
Eed Hill, in Whittington, ij m. SE. of Worcester, is
referred to in an A. S. charter relating to Whittington
(Hem. 358), in thcer adun be tham readen wege (thence down
by the Redway).
Redmarley d'Abitot, 4 m. N. of Newent. 963 Reode-
mcereleage, C. S. 1109; 978 Rydemtzreleage, C. D. 619;
D. Ridmerlege, Redmerleie, Ridmerlege', 1275 Rudmereley,
Redmereligh, Rudmareligh. The terminal is certainly ley
(q. v.) ; mcere is a boundary, but mere, a pool, is sometimes
written mcere in A. S. charters. (Toller-Bosworth, s. Mere.)
The difficulty is with Reode; none of the earlier prefixes mean
' Red-.' (' Reode is from A. S. hreod, a reed. I think mcere
\\QVQ-=mere, a mere Reed-mere-lea. Red for reed before m is
quite regular.' Skeat.) The manor takes the name of d'Abitot
because Urse d'Abitot held it, or a part of it, under the
Bishop of Worcester at the time of D. ; and his heirs, the
Beauchamps, succeeded him.
REDHALL FARM RIDGE ACRE 137
Bednall, h., 5 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 730 Wreodanhale,
C. S. 234; 934 Wreadanhale, C. S. 701; 1275 Wredinhale,
S. R. ; 1327 Wrodenhale, S. R. The charter of 730 is
original, and therefore trustworthy. It gives us in plain A. S.
' the meadow land of Wreoda,' and though that name is not
' recorded ' it may be safely accepted. V. Hale.
Redstone Rock and Perry, on Severn, i m. S. of
Stourport. c. 1200 Radestone (Layamon) ; 1275 Radeston,
S. R. The modern form is quite correct. There was
formerly a hermitage or cell here, and when Severn had
no bridge at Bewdley or Stourport, Redstone was a con-
siderable thoroughfare. Hab. ii. 17 describes it as it was
in his time, c. 1642. Layamon, who wrote c. 1200,
commences his poems : ' There was a priest in the land
who was named Layamon ; he was son of Leuca may the
Lord be gracious to him ! he dwelt at Ernley (Arley Kings)
at a noble church with the good Knight upon Severn's
bank pleasant it there seemed to him near Radestone,
where he book read.' V. Arley Kings. An A. S. cet readan-
stane would yield a later Radestone.
Rhydd (The), ferry on Severn, near Upton. I doubt the
antiquity of this name, as it does not appear in any records. It
may be a modern name, though W. rhyd means a ford, ferry.
Ribbesford, i m. S. of Bewdley. 1023 Ribbed/ord,
C. D. 738; nc. Ribetforde, Hem. ; 1275 Rtbeford, S. R.
Ribbesford lies on Severn side. The terminal is plain
' ford ' (q. v.) ; but ribbed or ribei are not A. S. words, and
perhaps represent a p. n. commencing Wr-. V. Wribbenhall,
which lies on the opposite bank of Severn, a mile N.
Ridding, is A. S. hrydtng, M. E. ridding, a clearing,
a recent enclosure of wild land. It is a common name for
fields and homesteads in Staffordshire, only occasional in
Worcestershire. V. Breach.
Ridgeacre, in Warley-Wigorn ; Ridgeacre in Halesowen.
1274 Rugeaker ; 1302 Rugacre; 1309 Ruggacre. A. S.
138 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
hrycg, M. E. rug, rugge, ridge ; and cecer, M. E. aker, acre,
a field the ridged field, or the field on the ridge. The use
of the word acre as a ' measure ' of land is of M. E. origin.
We still say ' broad acres/ V. Field.
Ridgeway (The), a common name for ancient roads.
Antiquaries generally assume a ' Ridgeway ' to be of Roman
origin, but the name is no evidence of it, and most Ridge-
ways are certainly not Roman, some perhaps are pre-Roman.
The name means a formed or ridged road, probably ditched
on both sides, and, sometimes, because the road travelled
along a ridge for some distance. The N. part of the road
from Redditch to Evesham bears the name, and is a county
boundary. In 1300 it appears as Reggewey. The road
between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth in 994 is called the
Rycwei (ridgeway), and in a charter relating to Wolverley
the same road is called tha myclan strete (the great street).
The road between Evesham and Pershore is called the
Rycgweye, Ricgweg, Rycgweye in A. S. charters ; between
Pershore and Worcester Riavege, Hricgweye, C. D. 1368;
between Stratford-on-Avon and Shipston-on-Siourffrycgzveye,
C. D. 650. The original A. S. form of the name was hrycg-
weg (g y] ; the initial h was often omitted, and ultimately
discarded. V. Portway.
Ripple, 3 m. S. of Upton-on-Severn. 680 Rippell, C. S.
51 ; D. Rippel; 1275 Ryppel, S. R. Though the forms go
back to 680 and are uniform, I cannot translate the word.
It does not appear to be A. S. or W. It is perhaps a river
name. The village is situate on a long stream, which falls
into Severn two miles south. Our modern word ' ripple ' is
not more than two centuries old. Cp. Ribble, an A. S.
name for a river in Cheshire.
Rochford, 2 m. E. of Tenbury, on the Teme. D. Roches-
forde. This has nothing to do with our modern word
' rock.' It is the A. S. p. n. Hroc, later Roc = rook
Hroc's ford (v. Ford). D. uses ch for hard c. The
RIDGEWAY ROUSE-LENCH 139
original pronunciation would be Hrocs ford, and become
Rochford through the introduction of the Norman ch. The
gen. of Hroc is Hroces, regularly ; Hrocan occurs also, as the
genitive of Hroca. Rochford, in Essex, is on the river Roche,
and probably takes name from it. Rochdale, in Lancashire,
lies on another river Roch. Rochester, in Kent, was
Hrofescester, Hrofs fortress. Places in Wales, Ireland, or
Cornwall commencing Roch- should, prima facie, be con-
strued Rock-, which, in Celtic languages, is Roche. All
etymons have to be considered with reference to locality,
history, and language and its changes.
Bock, 5 m. W. of Stourport. At the time of D. Rock
seems to have been divided into two manors Alton
and Coneyswick (q. v.). Nash says it was anciently named
Aka, but I have seen no evidence of it. If it be so, Aha
is only a latinized form of ace, ake, oak, and has no reference
to ' Rock,' which is a word barely recognized in A. S.,
and not commonly used in our language until the 13 c. It
is only in the 16 c. that we find the name of the present
parish as Roke, meaning 'rock,' no doubt in allusion to
the eminence on which the church stands. It is rare to find
a ' parish ' with a name dating only from the i6th century.
Bodge Hill, Bodge Farm, in Martley. 1327 Rich d
de la Rugge, S. R. M. E. rugge, ridge (of land or hill).
Bomsley, h., in Halesowen. 13 c. Romesley, Ramesley\
1478 Romesley. These forms are late for accurate judge-
ment. In A. S. ramm, romm mean a ram, and this is
probably ' the ram's lea ' (v. Ley).
Bound Hill, ^ m. NW. of Spetchley, a prehistoric fort, or
tumulus, partly surrounded by a trench. 974 Cuggan hylle,
Hem. 358, C. S. 1298. Round Hill is, of course, a modern
name. The form gives us ' Cugga's hill,' Cugga being an
A. S. p. n. He would probably be the owner or occupier
of the land, but the earthwork would be long before his time.
Bouse-Lench, 'v. Lench (Rouse).
140 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Kowney Green, h., 2 m. SE. of Alvechurch. 1275
Rowenheye, S. R. Rowen is one of the M. E. forms of A. S.
ruwan, a form of the weak dat. of ruh, 'rough' Rough
hay ; v. Hay. The locality lay in Feckenham Forest. Ruh
was pronounced with a strong guttural ch, whence, with
shoi tening, our mod. ' rough.'
Rubery Hill, in Kingsnorton. Though without forms
I think the meaning is clear. Ru- represents A. S. ruh,
rough, and bery, A. S. beorh, M. E. berg (g =j>), a hill
Rough hill. ' Hill ' would be added when the meaning of
' bery ' had been forgotten.
Rude End, h., in Oldbury, near Birmingham. Rude here
doubtless represents M. E. rode (rood), a cross, crucifix ;
end, in pi. names, means a locality, place the place of the
cross ; v. End.
Rushock, 5 m. W. of Bromsgrove. D. Russococ ; 1 3 c.
Rushoke. I think the D. scribe intended to write Russoc.
The terminal in the later form is plain M. E. oke, oak. The
prefix probably represents A. S. rise, M. E. rusche, a rush ;
perhaps a rushy place where oaks grew. There is a Rushock
in Herefordshire, which appears in D. as Ruiscop.
Rushwick, v. Wick.
Russells Hall, | m. W. of Dudley. 1 3 1 6 Russelles-halh.
A Norman family of Russell resided here for some centuries.
Ryall, h., in Ripple. 1275 Ruhale, S. R. ; 1332 Ruhale,
S. R. ; 1 4 c. Ruyhale. This appears to be descended from
an A. S. at ryge-heale, at the rye-field. Rye appears in
M. E. as riiy (u like French ). The mod. name supports
this view.
Sale Green, h., in Huddington. 1327 Cristina atte Sale,
S. R. A. S. seel, a hall (dat. j/*)=Hall Green. 'Green,' it
will be observed, has been added since 1327.
Salters Way, Salters Lane, Saltersford. These are
names frequently found on Saltways. A. S. sealtere, a salter,
ROWNEY GREEN SALTWAY 141
carrier of or dealer in salt. Sealterford is mentioned in C. S.
1109, a. 963, relating to Redmarley. There is a Sailers
Lane \\ m. SE. of Tardebigg, probably leading to Bordesley
Abbey, Coventry, and the NE. Saltivelle is mentioned in
a charter relating to Iccomb, C. S. 240, a. 784; but that is
not indicative of a saltway, but rather of a brine-spring. V.
Saltway.
Saltway, Salt Street. The history of Saltways ought
to be written before material has been lost. ' Salt ' has left
its mark all over the county. From Droitwich radiated roads
along which salt was carried, mainly by pack-horses, for
great distances. Before 1767, when the first canal was
made in Worcestershire, everything had to be conveyed by
road or river. The carriers returned loaded with wood, then
the only fuel used in the saltworks, and as progress was
slow a large amount of traffic was continually upon the roads.
That this had been going on from remote times is evidenced
by numerous references to saltways, or 'streets,' in A. S.
charters. And in studying old lines of communication we
must always remember that it is never right to say that any
particular way is ' the ' road from A to B, for in long distances
some travellers would go one way and some another. Ogilby
(Book of Roads, 1675) says, under London to Holyhead:
' This, as being one of the six prime Postways and readiest
passage for Ireland, is one of the most frequented roads of
the kingdom, . . . yet we may advise that as the stage coaches
to Chester miss Lichfield and pass through Newport and
Whitchurch, ... so on the other hand horsemen will some-
times ride by Northampton, and carts keep the Watling
Street.' One route would be good in summer, and impassable
in winter, or in times of flood. A broken bridge (they were
mostly wooden) would divert traffic for years, and the liability
to repair roads could only be enforced by costly proceedings.
The much-abused monks were the only 'class' who did
anything purely for the public good. I mention these things
142 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
in order to account for the variety and divergence of ancient
thoroughfares. Salt herpath (herepceth ' army path,' but sub-
stantially ' a broad way '), Salter dene (Salter's valley), Sailer
wellan (Salter's springs), Sail broc (brook), are mentioned
in C. D. 645, a. 984, as in Wolverton. This is part of the
great saltway from Droitwich to Lechlade, via Martin
Hussingtree, Spetchley, Wolverton, Thornton, Pershore,
Hinton-on-the-Green, Childs Wickham, and Broadway. The
same road is also mentioned as Saltstrcet in a charter relating
to Bredicote and Tibberton, C. D. 683, a. 978. Sealt street
is mentioned in a charter relating to Hallow, a. 816, C. S.
356. This may be the road from Droitwich to the NW., via
Ombersley, crossing Severn at Holt Fleet ; but perhaps the
carriers preferred to cross at Worcester Bridge rather than
ferry at Holt. Salt street is mentioned in a charter relating
to Dunneslreattun (now Stretton-on-Foss, 4 m. NE. of
Moreton-Henmarsh). I cannot identify this road. It is not
the Fossway, as the charter mentions that road separately.
It probably came through Chipping Campden. Sealt street
appears in a charter relating to Evenlode a. 969, C. D. 1238.
This is clearly at the Four Shire Stone, but whether it refers
to the London and Worcester road, via Moreton-Henmarsh
and Broadway, or via Chipping Campden and Willersey
(which unite here), I cannot say. The latter route was the
Post road until about 1770. Salter swell and Salter s Well
Farm lie \\ m. SE. of the Four Shire Stone; and 3 m. further
SE. on the London road is the village of <Sa//ford, pretty
strong evidence of a saltway to Oxford and the SE. It must
not, however, be inferred that the prefix Salt- or Sal- necessarily
refers to salt. Saltley, near Birmingham, was anciently
Saluthley (rightly Saluchleage\ the willow lea, and Salford
Bridge, in Erdington, was originally Schrafford, the ford by
the caves. The old London road two miles N. of Evesham
is called Sealtslrate in an A. S. charter without date, C. D.
289. This road would continue as a saltway up to Spetchley,
SALTWAY 143
and thence via Martin Hussingtree. Seal/ street is mentioned
as on the eastern bounds of Broadway, in C. S. 1282, a. 972.
It is a portion of the Icknield Street, and crosses the London
road, running almost due N. and S., about two furlongs E.
of the Fish Inn, on Broadway Hill. It is now a deserted
greenway, and a mile further S. is enclosed and almost lost.
Since 972 this saltway has been diverted nearer to the Fish
Inn, and passes by Broadway Tower, a mile E. of Snowshill,
and due S. by Cutsdean, Temple Guiting, Hawling, a mile
SW. of Northleach, Coin St. Aldwins, and so to Lechlade,
whence the Thames was navigable. Before the enclosure of
the Cotswolds I think there was a duplicate saltway to
Northleach via Turkdean. A saltway from Droitwich passed
by Feckenham, Coughton, and half a mile S. of Great Alne,
to Stratford-on-Avon ; it is called tha Seal/ stret in C. D. 724,
a. 1016. This road between Coughton and Stratford was
also the London road to Shrewsbury, via Stratford, Broms-
grove, Kidderminster, and Bridgnorth. It was diverted via
Alcester about 1750, and then the old road fell into disuse,
and between Great Alne and Coughton is now partially
stopped. The same saltway two miles E. of Coughton
diverged to the SE., and on striking the Icknield Street took
that road through Alcester, Bidford, Church Honeybourne,
and near Weston-sub-edge. Thence, at the foot of the
Cotswolds and up their slopes, the Icknield Street became
too difficult to follow, and an early diversion was made out
of it half a mile E. of Saintbury, the two roads uniting on
Broadway Hill. This diversion is still open, but impassable
to vehicles, and is evidently of extreme antiquity. The
Icknield Street, from the diversion to Broadway Hill, is still
traceable, but in places is more like a ditch than a road,
and in other parts is ploughed and enclosed, though its
straight line is visible. Trench Lane (q. v.) is probably
part of a duplicate saltway passing through Pinvin and
uniting at Pershore. The 6 in. Ordnance Map marks a road
144 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
as ' Saltway ' which runs due N. and S. out of the Pershore
road below Cropthorne through Ashton-under-Hill. It is
probably a road the carriers would take to the Abbeys of
Winchcombe and Hales, Cirencester, and the South. The
name Salford Priors (in Warwickshire), 6 m. NE. of Evesham,
leads to the inference of a saltway, but I am unable to trace
it. I believe Droitwich was the only place in the county
which had brine-springs, and that the nearest ancient salt-
works were at Weston-on-Trent and Shirleywich near
Stafford (about 50 miles N.), so that it may be assumed
that all the saltways in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and
Gloucestershire were connected with Droitwich. Salt was
formerly a greater necessity of life than it is now. Our
forefathers had no potatoes, turnips, mangolds, or artificial
foods for their cattle. They slaughtered in October, and
salted their meat for the winter; fish, game, poultry, and
pork being their only fresh food. V. Icknield Street,
Salters Way.
Saltwells, h., 4 m. S. of Dudley. There is a brine-spring
here, in carboniferous strata, and evidence of great geological
disturbance. The limestone and Ludlow shale protrude, and
the thick coal crops out on the flanks of the hill caused by
the protrusion. The disturbance is geologically known as 'the
Netherton anticlinal.' Plot (Hist, of Staffordshire, 98) men-
tions the brine-spring as in Pensnet Chase. There are baths
here, but the spring is too weak for the production of salt.
Salwarp, 5^ m. NW. of Worcester, lies on the river of
that name, and is mentioned in numerous A. S. charters as
Sealeweorpe, Salwarp, Salowarpe, Salewarp, and Salewearpe.
The river passes by Droitwich, 'where,' Nash says, 'it
receives the overflowings of the salt springs,' formerly
very great. The manor probably takes its name from
the ' river. If the prefix Seale or Sal could be said to
represent A. S. seal/, Salwarpe might be read as ' the river
which throws up salt' (A. S. weorp t weorpan, means to
SALWARP SAXONS LODE 145
throw up, cast off); but these river names are hopeless;
their roots often lie, wholly or partially, in some extinct
language.
Salwarp, river, rises near Bromsgrove, and runs, by Stoke
Prior and Droitwich, into Severn, 3 m. N. of Worcester.
F. Salwarp, ante.
Sandford, h., in Severn Stoke (\ m. N. of). 1275 Sand-
ford, S. R. The road from Worcester to Gloucester here
crosses a small stream which flows into Severn.
Sapey Pritchard or Lower Sapey, 5 m. NE. of Brom-
yard. 781 at Sapian, C. S. 240; D. Sapie; 1275 Sapye,
S. R.; 1346 Sapey Pychard, This is A. S. sapige (g-=-y\
a fir-tree, spruce fir, dat. scepigan. The Sapian of 781 is
a late spelling of Scepigan, just as pirtg(e)an, a pear-tree, is
written pirian. The meaning therefore is ' at the spruce fir.'
Pritchard is a mediaeval addition, a family of that name
having held the manor in the 1 3 and 1 4 centuries.
Sarehole, h., Sarehole Mill, in Moseley, 4 m. SE. of
Birmingham. D. Survehel, berewick of Bromsgrove. I think
the form represents an A. S. Syrfe-hyl (nom.), 'a hill upon
which a service-tree (A. S. syrfe) grew.' It is interesting
to note how many of these little places have long his-
tories.
Sar House, in Ombersley. Sare appears as a family
name several times in the S. R. of 1275, and a family of that
name was then living in Ombersley. There was then also
a Sardhamton (now apparently obsolete) in the adjoining
parish of Astley. There can be little doubt the house takes
its name from the family. V. Yarhampton, post.
Saxons Lode, a ferry on Severn, \\ m. SE. of Upton.
1275 La Lode, S. R. ; 130. Sastanelode ; 16 c. Sextonslade,
Sestanelade. The prefix doubtless represents the name
of some ferryman, perhaps *Seaxstan. The terminal is
A. S. ge-ldd, M. E. lade, a passage or crossing. Lode is
a common name on Severn for an ancient ferry .
146 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Sedgberrow, 3 m. S. of Evesham. 771 Segcesesbearwe,
C. S. 223; 964 Secgesbeqrwe in monte Wiccisca (i.e. the
Cotswolds, q. v.), C. S. 1134; D. Secgesbarue \ 1275 Segges-
derrow, S. R. A. S. p. n. Secg, gen. Secges=Secg's hill (or
tumulus) ; v. Barrow.
Selly, Selly Oak, 4 m. S. of Birmingham. 12 c. Selleg',
SeUey, Lyt. Ch.; 1275 Selleye, S. R. ; 140. Sol/eye, Selley.
Selly lies on the boundary of the parishes of Harborne and
Northfield, and of the counties of Worcester and Stafford.
I cannot interpret ' Selly ' satisfactorily ; ' oak ' appears to be
a late addition, and perhaps refers to a boundary or ' Gospel
Oak.' There is a ' Sell Oak ' in Cold Aston, near Sheffield,
and an ancient family named Selioake lived in the adjoining
parish of Norton for many generations ; otherwise ' Selly ' is
unique as a pi. n.
Seven Wells, near Spring Hill, on the Cotswolds, the
source of the river Windrush, tributary of the Thames. Cp.
' Seven Springs,' \ m. W. of Northleach, the source of the
Coin, another tributary of the Thames, mentioned in C. D.
90, an. 716, as Seofenwyllas. Also 'Seven Wells,' 3 m. S.
of Cheltenham, the source of the Churn, another affluent of
the Thames.
Severn, river. The early forms are too numerous to
detail, and may be summarized. The Roman name was
Sabrina. Early W. Safren, later W. Hafren, A. S. Sceferne.
Early W. never had an initial h, but, by the ninth century,
initial j had passed into h (Rhys). The Romans were in
the habit of adopting native names, clothing them in Roman
garb, and prima facie the root should be sought in some pre-
Roman language, though Sabrina was a fern. p. n. In ' A
Wandering Scholar in the Levant' (Murray, 1896) the
author says, writing of the country around Pingan, on the
Euphrates : ' On the rock above ' (a Roman bridge) ' was
a sunken panel recording in bold Latin lettering that the
bridge was built in the time of the Emperor Decius across
SEDGBERROW SHAVERS END 147
this river Sabrina an Armenian Severn.' The river is now
named Kara Budak. Decius reigned 249-251. Unless
Sabrina is a L. word, it is extraordinary that the Romans
should have applied the name to a river in England, and
a river in Armenia; it is possible that it may have been
carried to the east by British troops. Sabrina may have
been the name of some Roman lady, or unrecorded goddess.
In studying river names one frequently gets lost in the mists
of antiquity.
Severn Stoke, 8 m. S. of Worcester. 972 Suth sloce,
C. S. 1282; D. Stoche; 1275 Severnstok, S. R. It will be
observed that 'Severn' is a mediaeval addition to distin-
guish the place from other Stokes ; it stands on the Severn.
V. Stoke.
Shakenhurst, ancient estate in Bay ton (i m. W. of).
1327 Shekenkurste, S. R. ; 16 c. Schekenshurst. This is
Scaecca's wood, Sccecca being an A. S. p. n. The A. S. form
would be at Scceccan-hyrst (sc = sft).
Sharpway Gate, i| m. S. of Stoke Prior. 770 Sceap
weg, Scearp weg, C. S. 204. The first form gives us ' sheep
way,' the other ' sharp way,' the latter doubtless correct.
The charter is a copy, corrupt in several other words.
' Sharp ' appears to be used in the sense of ' pointed,' two
roads meeting here at a sharp point with a cross-road
between them. ' Gate ' is a later addition.
Shatterford, h., 4 m. NW. of Kidderminster. 996
Sciteres-ford (Wulfrun's Ch.). A. S. scytere (sc=sh), an
archer, shooter the archer's ford (v. Ford).
Shavers End, in Astley. Not an uncommon name;
sometimes attached to isolated dwellings, very unlikely to
have been occupied by a barber. It may have been applied
to a person who was close or sharp in his dealings. It must
have one or the other meaning. The root is A. S. sceafan,
to shave, M. E. schaver, a barber. Example : Shavers End,
Rushall, Staffs.
L 2
148 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Sheen Hill, in South Littleton. Having no forms and
accepting the modern one, the interpretation would be
'beautiful/ A. S. seine, scene (sc=sfi). Cp. Sheen, N. Staffs.;
Sheen, Surrey. It is against rule for an adjective to stand
alone as a pi. name.
Shell, or Shelve, h., in Himbleton. 956 Scylf, C. S.
937; D. Scelves; 1275 Schelve, S. R. A. S. scylf, M. E.
schelfe, a shelf, shelve, or shelving cliff. In pi. names it
means a slope, and sometimes table-land sloping on all or
most sides. Cp. Shelf, W. R. York ; Shelf-hanger, in Norfolk ;
Shelve, Salop ; and many Shelfields.
Shelsley Beauchamp, 7| m. SW. of Stourport. D.
Celdeslai; 12 c. Sceldeslege ; 1275 Sceldesley, S. R. I think
the prefix represents the A. S. p. n. Scyld (sc = sh), Scyld's
lea (v. Ley). The manor belonged to the Beauchamps in
the 1 5 c. Scyld = shield.
Shelsley Walsh, 9 m. SW. of Stourport. D. Caldeslei;
1275 Sceldeley Walleys, S. R. ; 1346 Sheldesleye Waleys, ' quod
Henricus le Waleys (the Welshman) quondam tenuit/ S. R.
The Waleys or Walsh (= Welsh) family held the manor in
the 14, 15, and 16 centuries. A. S. p. n. Scyld (sc=sh),
Scyld's lea.
Sheltwood, Sheltwood Farm, i J m. S. of Tardebigg,
formerly a grange to Bordesley Abbey. 14 c. Sillwode,
Shiltewode Grange; 16 c. Scheltewodde. The terminal of
course is 'wood'; I cannot translate the prefix, the forms
being late and corrupt.
Shenstone, h., in Hartlebury. 1275 Schenesfon, S. R. ;
1327 Shenslon. The medial s shows that the terminal was
A. S. s/an, stone, not ton. The prefix is scene (sheen),
beautiful, shining. Most pi. names have their forms from
the dat. case, which here would be cet Scienamtane (sc=sh),
and yield a M. E. Scheneston. Shenstone, in Staffordshire,
has the same root and meaning, ' shining or beautiful stone ' ;
but neither place has any history or remains accounting for
SHEEN HILL SHURNOCK 149
the name. V. Sheen Hill, and cp. Sheen in N. Staffs., and
Sheen in Surrey
Sheriffs Lench, v. Lench (Sheriffs).
Shipston-on-Stour. 770 Scepeswasce, C. S. 205; 957
ScepuxBScton, C. S. 1006 ; D. Scepwestun. This is plainly
'the town of the Sheepwash.' The 'wash' dropped out
after the Conquest.
Shire Ditch, on Malvern Hills, marking the boundary
between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. A. S. scir,
M. E. schire, a district, division, (later) boundary. F. Red
Earl's Dyke.
Shortwood, Shortwood Dingle, Little Shortwood,
Great Shortwood, hamlets and farms, z\ m. S. of Alve-
church. 1545 Schorte Wodde (belonged to Bordesley Abbey)
Shortwood.
Shortwood, a wood in Hagley. 1349 Shortwod Short-
wood. V. Shortwood, ante.
Shoulton, h., in Hallow. 17 c. Shoulton. ('Scula was an
A. S. p. n., and an original Sculan-tun, Scula's town (v. Ton),
would produce a modern Shoulton.' Skeat.)
Showell Green, in Yardley. As I find no evidence of
antiquity I assume this to be derived from the M. E. family
name ' Showell.' The word itself is very old, and means
' a scarecrow against deer.' Places anciently named ' The
Showells' are always found to be on the borders of old
forests.
Shrawley, 5 m. W. of Stourport. 804 Scrcefleh, C. S.
313; 12 c. JEscrealei '; 1275 Schreweley, S. R. A. S. scraf
(sc = sh), a cave or hollow place in the earth, also a miserable
dwelling, a den. The term would probably be applied to
a collection of pit-dwellings once occupied by an aboriginal
race. For the terminal v. Ley.
Shurnock, h., i m. E. of Feckenham. 1006 Sciran ac,
Sciren ac (sc = sh], C. S. 957 ; 1275 Shirnak, S. R. ; 13 c.
Shurnake. A. S sciran is here the weak dat. sing, of scir,
150 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
meaning, with reference to inanimate objects, 'bright,
brilliant, white,' and ac, oak, certainly referring to some
remarkable tree once growing here. There is, or was, a
' White-leaved Oak ' on Malvern Hills.
Sidnals, f., 3 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 16 c. Sydenhale
(was a grange to Bordesley Abbey). A. S. sid (dat. sidari),
spacious, large, and healle Great hall ; v. Hale.
Sion Hill, mansion, in Wolverley. 1792 Sion Hill.
Having met with no earlier record I assume it to be a modern
scriptural name.
Smite (Lower and Upper) and Smite Hill, 3 m. S.
of Droitwich. 978 at Smitan, C. D. 618; 1275 Smite, S. R.
Bosworth-Toller translates Smite ' a foul miry place ? ', but
the authority for it is slight. The word is used in the charter
as a pi. name and also as a river name. Of Smitan is found
in C. D. 1003 clearly as a river name (nom. Smite]. The
charter of 978 says (translated) 'from the slough to Smitan.'
There is a river Smite in Leicestershire. It is certainly
a river name, but the meaning for the present had better be
treated as unknown.
Smithmoor Common, in Earls Croome. 1648 Smeath-
more. This is probably A. S. and M. E. smethe, smooth,
flat, level surface, and more (q. v.), moor. Examples : Smeeth,
Kent ; Smethcot, Salop ; Smethwick, Staffs. ; Smethwick,
Cheshire ; Smeaton, Yorks. ; The Smeath, near Kings Lynn ;
and Markham Smeath, near Swaflfham.
Sneachill, h., \ m. SE. of Spetchley. 977 Sncetes wylle,
C. D. 612. This is clearly ' Snset's well' (spring), but Sn&t
as a p. n. is not recorded elsewhere.
Snead, Upper Snead, Lower Snead, Snead Common,
in Rock. 1275 Sned; 1327 Snede, S. R. This is a common
name in the Midlands. It is A. S. snad, which in pi. names
means a separated or intrusive portion of a manor or estate
something cut off from the bulk. In this case the locality
intrudes into the adjoining manor of Pensax. The usual
SIDNALS SPARKHILL 151
form of the name is ' the Sneyd.' There was a Snede in
Berrow in 1327, and there is ' Snead Green ' in Elmley Lovett.
Sodington, h., Sodington Hall (moated), in Mamble
(\ m. S. of). 825 Sulhtune, C. S. 386 ; 957 Suthinion,
C. S. 1007; 967 Suthlune, C. S. 1201; 1275 Suthintone,
Sodintone, S. R. ; 1327 Sodinlon, S. R. The passage from
Sulhtune, South town, to Suthantune, Southern town, and
then to Sodington, is curious. The last change appears to
have commenced in 1275. All other Suthtuns I have traced
have become Sutton.
Solemn, f., in Wolverley. It is probable that the original
name was Solcomb, which in A. S. means a miry or wet
valley ; sol is commonly found in A. S. charters in the sense
of ' slough ' ; v. Combe.
Solhampton, h., in Astley. The p in 'hampton' is
always excrescent, and is the effect of accent falling on
the m ; the original form is hdmlun, home town (v. Ham,
and Ton). Assuming Sol to be the correct prefix, the
meaning of the name is ' a dwelling in a miry place ' ;
but construction by modern forms alone is hazardous.
V. Hampton.
Southall, h., in Doverdale. 1327 Southale, S. R. South
hall (v. Hale).
Southcnd Farm, in Upton-on-Severn. 1275 Robert de
Suthende, and three other families, S. R. South end (v.
End).
Spadesbourne Brook, in Bromsgrove ; Spadesbourne
Brook, in Kingsnorton. The terminal is A. S. burn, M. E.
burne, borne, a stream, brook. The prefix probably has its
origin from a spade manufactory on the stream. Water and
water-power were formerly essential elements in the edge-
tool trade.
Sparkhill, Sparkbrook, in Yardley. Adam Spark and
Reginald Spark were living in Yardley in 1275, and Adam
Spark is again assessed, s. Yardley, in 1327.
152 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Spellis Farm, in Claines, was granted by Thomas
Cobham, Bishop of Worcester, c. 1361, to Richard Spellye
for services rendered to the bishop by Spellye as bailiff of
Whiston. His son Osbert Spelli succeeded him, and in 1332
was assessed to the subsidy.
Spetchley, 3 m. E. of Worcester. 816 Spczcleahton,
C. S. 356; 967 Speclea, C. S. 1204; D. Speclea; 1275
Spechesleye, S. R. This is a difficult case. The terminal
-leahton, in the form of 816, means a kitchen garden (A. S.
leac-tun, leah-tun, literally ' leek ' enclosure), and if that form
is accepted it would be a guide to the meaning of Spcec- ;
but all the other forms are plain ' lea ' ; and the es in the form
of 1275 points to Spccc- (c = cK) as a p. n. ; but there is no
such recorded name, or anything like it. A. S. Spcec is
' speech/ also ' a place of assembly, or speaking ' ; but
' Speech-garden ' is very unlikely ; ' Speech-lea ' less so, but
not acceptable without explanation. Now on the border of
Spetchley, adjoining Wolverton, there is a tumulus called
' The Low ' (in 977 Oswaldes hlaw), Oswald then being Bishop
of Worcester, and ' Oswaldeslow ' (q. v.), the name of a large
newly- created hundred. It is not improbable that a court
may have been held at this low from remote times for one of
the ancient hundreds absorbed in Oswaldslow, and, if so, ' the
lea of speaking, assembly, discussion,' &c., is not an unlikely
construction. Spetchley is a unique name. If the suggested
construction is not accepted, then Spcec- probably represents
some unrecorded p. n., and we may construe it 'Spsec's
garden ' or ' Spsec's lea ' (v. Ley).
Spilsbury Hill, in Mamble. 1275 Spelebury, S. R. ;
1327 Spellesbury, S. R. The prefix is the A. S. p. n. *Spil,
Spila, recorded in D. as Spille Spil's burh (v. Bury).
Stanford-on-Teme, 8 m. SW. of Stourport. D. Stanford.
A. S^ Stanford, stone or rocky ford (v. Ford).
Stapenhill Farm, in Blockley. This probably represents
an A. S. Steapan-hylle Steapa's hill ; cp. Stapenhill, 2 m. NW.
SPELLIS FARM STILDON MANOR 153
of Stourbridge (1342 Stapenhulf), and Stapenhill, near Burton-
on-Trent (D. Stapenhille). Steapa was an A. S. p. n., and
Steapan-hylle would produce a modern Stapenhill.
Staplehall Farm, in Northfield ; stands on the boundary
of Northfield and Kingsnorton. A. S. stapol, a pole or pillar
to mark the boundary of a manor or estate. The word
is frequently met with in A. S. charters as boundary marks,
which are sometimes mentioned as ' stone ' stapols. A large
number of place names commence Staple-. Having no
forms we must accept the modern terminal 'hall,' but it
is much more likely to have been ' hill,' M. E. hull.
V. Hoarstone.
Staunton, 8 m. N. of Gloucester. 972 Stan tune, C. S.
1281; 1275 Stantone, S. R. Stone-town (v. Ton). We
have hundreds of pi. names commencing Stan-, but less
than a dozen commencing Staun- the u is excrescent, and
due to the retention of mediaeval spelling, influenced by
French.
Stechford, h., 5 m. SE. of Birmingham, in Yardley
parish. 1242 Stichesford, I. P. M. I think the possessive
s in the form points to a p. n. Stetchworth, in Cambridge-
shire, has earlier forms ; in the time of Edward the Con-
fessor it was Steuicheswrthe, C. D. 907, and a little later
Stivicesworde, C. D. 932. The u and v represent an original
A. S.y^ and in Professor Skeat's opinion the forms imply an
A. S. Styfices, gen. of Sty fie y or Styfeces, gen. of Styfec, the
latter being a known p. n. I therefore construe Stechford as
Sty fee's ford (v. Ford). Stukeley, in Hunts, is Styfeca's
lea.
Stildon Manor, in Pensax. 958 Stilladune, C. S. 1007;
D. Stilldune; 1332 Stilldon, S. R. If the form of 958
represents Stillandune, as I think it does, the meaning is
Stilla's hill (v. Don). Stilla is not recorded as an A. S. p. n.,
but has its cognate in O. H. G. A large number of A. S.
names have perished with our records.
154 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Stirt Farm, in Rock ; Stirt Farm, in Abberley ; Sturt
Coppice, in Leigh. Probably A. S. steort, M. E. start, stert,
stirt, a tail, promontory, tongue of land; plough- start=.
plough-tail, red- start red- tail; cp. Start Point, in Devon;
Start Island, Orkneys ; Stert, h., 2 m. SE. of Devizes ;
Stert, h., 5 m. SE. of Somerton ; Sterthill, in Somersetshire ;
Stert Island and Stert Point, in Bridgwater Bay ; and Stirtloe,
4 1 m. SW. of Huntingdon. I think steort is the right root,
and alludes to the shape or situation of the land, or some
part of it.
Stock Green, Stockwood, Stockwood Lodge, h.,
\\ m. NW. of Inkberrow, now united with Bradley as an
ecclesiastical parish under the name of ' Stock and Bradley.'
A. S. stoc, a place fenced in ; slow and tun have practically
the same meaning.
Stoekton-on-Teme, 7 m. E. of Tenbury. 958 Stoctune,
C. S. 1007 ; D. Stotune; 1275 Stotton, S. R. The form of
958 is correct. The D. and later form are evidently written
from pronunciation. It is A. S. stoc, a place fenced in.
PI. names commencing or ending ' stock ' are innumerable.
Stoke. This common pi. name, suffix, and terminal is
A. S. stoc, dat. stoce, and means a fenced-in place, equivalent
to tun (v. Ton). D. records thirty-one ' Stoche' (ch = K], and
thirty-two ' Stoches,' most of which have since acquired distinc-
tive additions. Examples : Stoke Prior, Tavistock, Basing-
stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, &c.
Stoke Prior, 2 m. S. of Bromsgrove. 770 Stoke, C. S.
204 (grant by Uhtred, regulus of the Hwiccii, to the
monastery at Worcester). This charter exists only in a late
copy. The A. S. usually used c not k. 804 Stocce, C. S.
3 I 3 ) 9^7 Stoce, C. S. 1 202 ; D. Stoche (a D. ch represents k,
or c hard); 1275 Stok Prior is, S. R. V. Stoke, ante. After
the Conquest places having common names like Stoke, Aston,
Norton, &c. found it necessary to add a distinctive name.
Stoke belonged to the monks of Worcester for 800 years.
STIRT FARM STOURBRIDGE 155
Stone, h., in Hartlebury. D. Sianes; 1275 Slanes, S. R. ;
1327 Stone, S. R. A. S.sfanas (pi.), stones; the a developed
into o in later times ; hence dc has become ' oak/ What
' stones ' are here referred to it would be difficult to say ;
perhaps some rude monument long ago destroyed.
Stonehall, f., \ m. NE. of Earls Croome. 1275 Slonhale,
S. R. The modern form correctly expresses its meaning.
Stoon, ston t stan were M. E. forms for stone.
Stoulton, 5 m. SE. of Worcester. 840 Stoltun, C. S.
430 ; 1275 Stoltone, S. R. ; 1332 Station, S. R. A. S. Stol-
tun, stool town. In what sense the word ' stool ' is here
used we have no information; it may refer to the throne
of some ancient king, the seat of a person in authority, or
the see of a bishop. The name is unique.
Stour, river, rises near Halesowen, and falls into Severn
at Stourport. 757-985 always Sturt. There are six rivers
of this name in England, of which this is the most northern,
and all have the same early form. It is not an A. S.
word ; the u in original charters is long, and would produce
' Stour/ The Stour, in Kent, is recorded as Sturia in the
7 c., and there is a river Star in Germany (tributary of the
Elbe), anciently Sturia. The name has been probably
brought here by some continental race settling in the south
of England in prehistoric times, and some day, perhaps,
a German philologist will tell us its meaning. Professor
Skeat thinks Stur may be connected by gradation with E.
stor-m, Germ. Stur-m t and E. stir. The sense may be
' bustling, stormy,' i.e. rapid, or else turbid.
Stour, river, rises 5j m. SW. of Banbury, and falls into
Avon \\ m. SW. of Stratford. 704-988 always Slur or
Sture. V. Stour, ante.
Stourbridge. Nash, ii. 207, says the earliest mention
he finds of Stourbridge is in 1454 ; but in the S. R. of 1333
it is Slurbrugg, and in 1375 it is recorded as Slourbrugge,
brugge being a M. E. form for ' bridge/ It is not mentioned
156 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
in D., but that is the case with many places of undoubted
antiquity which were, for the purposes of the Survey,
included in other manors, Stourbridge being then comprised
in Oldswinford. I think the town existed long before the
Conquest under the name of Sture (Stour). In 781,
Heathored, Bishop of Worcester, surrenders to Offa, King
of the Mercians, the monastery of Bath in exchange for
lands inter alia ' <zt Sture xxxviii (cassatos). Simili etiam
vocabulo at Sture in Usmere xiii manentium ' ; C. S. 241.
The first-mentioned Sture is Alderminster (anciently Sture],
which lies, as Stourbridge does, on a river Stour. Sture in
Usmere is Stourbridge, Usmere being the name of a province
in Mercia before counties were formed. It is clear that
a place, not a river, is referred to, as the grant by Offa
includes thirteen farms or holdings (manentiuni), and there
is no other place to which the name could be applied.
A charter of 736 (C. S. 154) identifies Husmere as ' a pro-
vince of old time ' upon the river called Sture, and describes
the country around Kinver. A charter c. 757 (C. S. 220)
also conveys fourteen cassatos of land in the province of
Usmere, which is called &t Sture. Broadwaters is the
ancient Usmere (A. S. mere, a lake). The name survives
in Ismere House (q. v.). Stourbridge, near Cambridge, where
a great fair was formerly held, has a different root. It was
anciently Steresbreg, later Sterrebridge ; perhaps from the p.n.
Steor, later Ster (Skeat's Place-Names of Cambridgeshire).
V. Stour, ante.
Stourport. D. Metune ; 1275 Muttone, S. R. Stourport is
a modern name, assumed when the Staffordshire and Wor-
cestershire Canal united Trent and Severn, about 1770. The
Stour here runs into the Severn, and the right name is
Mitton, M. E. Mutton, later Mitton, from A. S. (ge}mythe,
' meeting of rivers, confluence,' a word connected with our
' mouth.'
Stow (A. S. slozv) is a common suffix and terminal, mean-
STOURPORT SUDDINGTON 157
ing ' an inhabited place or locality ' ; originally it frequently
stood alone, but in mediaeval times additions were often
made for distinction. Examples : Chepstow, Stow-on-the-
Wold, Stow-nine-Churches, Stowmarket, Walthamstow, &c.
Stratford, h., in Ripple, on the main road from Worcester
to Tewkesbury. A. S. street-ford^ the ford on the street.
The road here crosses a small stream. Most antiquaries
assume ' Stratford ' to be indicative of a Roman road, but
it is only indicative of A. S. origin, though it may be Roman
or British. The road between Worcester and Tewkesbury
was doubtless used by the Romans as part of the way
between Chester, Worcester, Gloucester, and Bath, but there
is no evidence or appearance of 'construction' by them.
They were too sensible to make roads where roads existed ;
and the Britons in Worcestershire were more advanced
than historians suppose. Pretty nearly all our forts called
' Roman ' are of prehistoric age. The Romans had no
desire or need to make forts (misnamed camps), when every
dominating eminence was crowned with one.
Strensham, 5 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Strengesho,
C. S. 1281; 1275 Strengesham, S. R. A. S. p. n. Streng,
and ho, hill (v. Ho) Streng's hill. Slreng, strang = strong,
are common stems in A. S. p. names. Strengesburieles,
Streng's burial place, is recorded in C. S. 458. The terminal
changed from ho to ham by 1275. It is possible that the
modern name is from the dat. plural of hoh horn, which
would be shortened in composition to -horn.
Sturt, v. Stirt.
Suckley, 10 m. SW. of Worcester. D. Suchlei ; 1275
Sukkeleye, S. R. 1346 Sukeley. A. S. p. n. Succa, Succa's
lea (v. Ley). Examples : Succanpyt, Succa's pit (C. S. 1234);
Succanscylf, Succa's shelf (table land) (C. D. 1232).
Sudbury, in Worcester. 963 Suthan byrig (dat. form),
' the south burh ' (v. Bury).
Suddington, h., in Ombersley. The A. S. form would
158 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
be at Suthantune, at the south town (v. Ton). Cp. Newington,
from at thcem Niwan-tune, at the new town.
Sundays Hill, in Spetchley (\ m. N. of). Referred to in
charter relating to Cudley (Hem. 358, N. ii. App. Iv), in
swa after thare strate be thare wallan on Sunder land (so
along the street by the spring to Sunderland). The spring
is now called ' Withy Wells/ Here Sunder has become
Sunday. Sunderlond means land belonging to a manor or
estate but detached from it, or land set apart for some
special purpose. It is in the vicinity of Round Hill and
Oswaldeslow (q. v.).
Sutton Common, Button Road, Button Farm, i m.
SW. of Kidderminster. D. Sudtone, berewick of Kidder-
minster. A. S. nom. Suth-tun, dat. at Suthan-tune, South
town. A medial tht has a tendency to become //.
Sutton Park, Sutton Mill, Sutton House, Sutton
Court, in Rochford. All Suttons mean ' South town.' The
n is brought in by the dat. form, at Suthan-tune, at the
South town.
Sutton Sturmy, h., in Tenbury (i m. SE. of). D. Sudlone.
A Suthtune is mentioned in C. S. 386, a. 825, and in C. S.
1201, a. 967, but I cannot identify it with this place. It
is clear, however, that a D. Sudtone means South town, and
would become Sutton (v, Sutton, ante]. The Sturmys were
an ancient family possessed of property here.
Swancote, in Chaddesley Corbett (i m. NW. of). 1275
Swanecote, S. R. ; 13 c. Swanecote, I. P. M. The medial
e in the forms points to M. E. swain, a swineherd, herds-
man the herdsmen's cot. It is our mod. 'swain,' now
meaning a countryman.
Swanshurst, f., in Kingsnorton. 1275 Swanhurste, S. R. ;
1332 Suanneshurste, S. R. Swan was not a p. n. before the
Coriquest, but by the 13 c. it had become one. The
double n in the last form points to the p. n., and we may
read this ' Swann's wood ' ; M. E. hurst, a wood.
SUNDAYS HILL TANWOOD GREEN 159
Swineshead, h., i m. W. of Spetchley. 989 Swines
heafod, C. D. 670; 13 c. Swynesheved. This is 'Swine's
head.' A. S. sunn meant a pig, or herd of swine, but it also
meant the image of a boar on a helmet. York (L. Eboracum,
A. S. Eoforwic) means ' the place of the boar,' but the
probability is that the boar was the ensign of some Roman
regiment long quartered there. It seems a far cry from
Eoforufic to York, but it is a true one ; JEo- was sounded
likej/0, and the rest gradually followed. A. S. heafod, M. E.
heved, is our modern ' head,' and has all its meanings. This
place may therefore mean the head of the swine (pasture),
or be a figurative name like York, or refer to some hill
having a profile like that of a pig, or to an ensign or
helmet found on the spot. Cp. Swineshead in Lincolnshire ;
Swineshead in Hunts.
Sytchampton, h., in Ombersley. M. E. siche, syche,
means a rivulet, and hamtone, home town ; but Syche may have
become a p. n. Christina atte Siche is recorded in the S. R.
of 1275, and the atte would soon drop out. V. Hampton.
Talton House, Talton Farm, Talton Cottage, Talton
Mill, in Tredington. 991 Tcetlintune, C. D. 676; 1275
Tattintone, S. R. ; 1327 Tydelyngton, Tadlinlone, S. R. ; 16 c.
Tadlingion alias Tatton. The original form would probably be
Tcetl-ing-tun, the town of the sons of Tatel(v. Ing, and Ton).
Tansley Mill, h., i m. SE. of Dudley. Rightly Tansy
Hill; doubtless from the wild tansy (Potentilla Anserind)
having once flourished there. Tansy was formerly used for
flavouring, and Tansy-cake and Tansy-tea were popular.
Tan wood Green, Tanwood House, i m. NE. of
Chaddesley Corbett. 130. Twenewode, I. P. M. I think
Twene represents M. E. twin, twine, double, twin, sundered,
divided. Perhaps two woods separated by a road, or a wood
through which a road had been cut, or some division
made.
l6o WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Tappenhall (Upper and Lower), h., 5 m.N. of Worcester.
957 Tapahalan, C. S. 993; 1038 Tapen halan. Tapa was
an A. S. p. n. The n in both stems forms the gen. case.
The meaning is Tapa's meadow or field ; v. Hale.
Tardebigg, 3 \ m. W. of Redditch. 974 at Tczrdebicgan,
C. S. 1317; 10 c. Terde bicg, Hem. 362; Terdebiggan,
Th. Ch. 451; D. Terdeberie ; 12 c. Terdebigge ; 1283
Tyrdebigg. Despite the early forms the prefix is difficult to
construe ; it may represent the p. n. Tyrdda (v. Tredington).
The terminal is like nothing in A. S. ; it may be Norse
bigging (North Country biggin) a house, building, but I
look with great distrust on Norse words in Worcestershire
before the Conquest.
Teddesley, v. Tidsley.
Teddington, 5 m. E. of Tewkesbury. 780' Teotimgtun,
C. S. 236; 977 Tidingctun, Teodtntune, C. D. 617; 964
Teotintun, C. S. 1135; 10 c. several other charters with
similar varying forms ; c. 1046 Theotinctun ; D. Teotintune;
1275 Tedinton, S. R. It is certain that Teot- represents an
A. S. p. n., perhaps Teotta, though such a name is not
recorded (Tette is common). That would yield an A. S.
Teottingtun, the town of Teotta, or the sons of Teotta,
according as the ing is read in a possessive or patronymic
sense. V. Ing, and Ton.
Teme, river. The A. S. form of this name is regularly
Temede (once Tamede\ as evidenced by numerous charters;
but it is not an A. S. word. I think it clear that the Teme,
the Thame, the Tame, the Tamar, and the Thames have
a common root. The Romans adopted native names,
adapting them to their language. Caesar writes Tamist's, and
Tacitus Tamisa, for the Thames, which appears in A. S.
charters as Tamese and Term's. There is a river Temes in
Hungary, and several rivers on the continent commencing
Tarn- or Tern-. The root must be ascertained before any
construction can be arrived at.
TAPPENHALL THRIFT l6l
Tenbury. D. Tamedeberie, Tametdeberie. Tenbury is not
mentioned in any earlier record than D. It means the burh (v.
Bury) on the Teme, on which river it is situate. V. Teme.
Tessall Farm, in Kingsnorton. D. Thessale (berewick
of Bromsgrove). 1275 Thessale, Teshale\ 13 c. Teshale.
Th- is, I think, the correct spelling, but the pronunciation
was evidently T, as at present in Thomas, 7%ame, Thames,
Antony, &c. This may be A. S. (ge)/ces, pleasant, fair,
and hale (q. v.) pleasant mead (meadow land). Tasan
made (an dat. addition) is mentioned as a locality in C. S. 390.
Thicknel, h., in Broom. 1327 Thikenolre, Thiknol, S. R.
M. E. thick, thike, and olre, orl, a dialectic name for the alder-
tree the thick (close) alder. Aller, Eller, Owler, Wallow,
are also dialectic words for the alder. The A. S. form would
be <zt tham thiccan alre, V. Tichenapletreu.
Thorne, h., in Inkberrovv (moated). A. S. thorn, the
thorn (tree).
Thornton, h., 3^ m. NW. of Pershore. 963 Thordune,
C. S. i no; Thorndune, C. D. 463; 977 Lusihorne, C. D.
612; 1275 Thorndun, S. R. A. S. Thorndun, thorn hill.
The Lusthorne of 977 is curious, and rare ; lus alone is our
' louse,' but in compound with -thorne it means the Spindle-
tree, Euonymus europaeus, known also as the Louse-berry ;
1 the berries . . . powdered and sprinkled upon the hair
destroy lice,' E. P. N. 314. This Lusthorne was a boundary
mark between Thornton and Wolverton.
Three Shire Elms, in Cleeve Prior. The counties of
Worcester, Gloucester, and Warwick meet here. A. S. sdr
(shire), a district, division ; it came to mean a boundary, limit.
Three Shire Oak, near the Bear Inn, Smethwick. The
shires of Worcester and Warwick, and an isolated portion of
Salop, which has been transferred to Worcester, met here.
V. Three Shire Elms, ante.
Thrift (The), wood, in Bentley Pauncefote; Thrift
Wood, in Crowle. This is probably a plant name, from
M
162 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
'Thrift' (Armeria maritima and Sedum reflexum) being
common on the land. ' Thrift ' is a fairly common name in
connexion with woods, and is said to be sometimes a mere
corruption of ' frith,' an old English word for a scrubby wood.
Throckmorton, h., p. of Fladbury. c. 1 200 Trochemerton ;
c. 1220 Trokemerlun, Trokemardtune ; 1275 Throkemorton,
Trokemerton, S. R. A. S. throc=.^ throck, piece of timber on
which the share of the plough is fixed. The forms favour
an original meretun, pool town; but how to construe throe
in combination with pool town I do not know ; it might have
been mczrtun, mere or boundary town (the h. stands on no
ancient frontier), or mortun, moor town, but the construction
of those combinations would be equally difficult. Throe is
not ' recorded' as a p. n., but Professor Skeat is of opinion it
was one from Throe-brig (bridge) and Throe-mere (pool)
being found in A. S. charters (Place-Names of Herts).
Cp. Throcking, in Herts, and Throckley in Northumberland.
This little place gave name to the old Worcestershire family
of Throckmorton. Sir Nicholas, the head of the family, was
a wealthy London banker, and gave his name to Throg-
morton Street, and Nicholas Lane, in London ; he is said to
have been poisoned by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in
Tibberton, 4 m. NE. of Worcester. 978 Tidbrihtingctun,
C. D. 603; D. Tidier tun\ 1275 Tybrytone, S. R. ; 1304
Tyburton, Tyberton. The first form may be safely accepted,
and gives us 'the town of the sons (or descendants) of
Tidbriht ' (recte* Tidbeorht). V. Ing, and Ton.
Tichenapletreu, a D. manor belonging to 'Hugh the
Ass/ perhaps obs. Habington says it lies partly in Dodder-
hill, and partly in St. Peter de Witton (Droitwich), but Nash
says it lay in Hampton Lovet. 10 c. Thiccan Apel ires
(dat.), Hem. 560; 1275 Amicia de Thikenapeltre, S. R. ;
1346 Tichenappletree, S. R. 'the thick apple-tree.' This
name is worth preserving, (a) as recording the equanimity
THROCKMORTON TIMBERH 'ANGER 163
with which a ' Lord of the Manor ' allows himself to be styled
Hugh ' the Ass,' (<$) as illustrating changes of form, and the
simplicity of some pi. names. V. Thicknel.
Tickenhill, ancient estate in Bewdley. This is probably
A. S. ticcen, a kid ' the Kid's hill,' but the young of the
roebuck, formerly very common, was also called a kid.
Tidmington, i m. S. of Shipston-on-Stour. 977 TtdeP-
minctune, C. D. 614 ; D. Tidelmintun ; 1275 Tidelminion, S. R.
A. S. p. n. Tidhelm 'the town of the sons of Tidhelm.'
V. Ing, and Ton.
Tidsley or Teddesley Wood, i m. W. of Pershore.
963 Teodecesleage, C. S. mi; this charter also mentions
Teodeces broc in the boundaries. It belonged to the monastery
of Worcester, and at the time of the dissolution of the
monastery (1542) belonged ' to the Cellarer, ad lac in conquina
el ad pabula equorum hospilum ' (for milk in the kitchen and
for fodder for the horses of guests). A. S. p. n. Teodec
Teodec's lea (v. Ley). The origin of this name is obscure ;
the -ec is a common diminutive. Tewkesbury is recorded as
Teodeces-byrig, Teodec's burh (v. Bury). Probably the same
Teodec gave name to both places. Kemble (Index to C. D.)
identifies the Teodecesleage of 963 with Teddesley in Staffs.;
but the description of the estate shows he is clearly wrong.
Tilbridge Farm, in Upton-on-Severn. 1275 Peter de
Teldrugge and Galfrid de Teldrugge (d must be a clerical mis-
take for b) were assessed by the S. R., s. Upton. The forms
doubtless represent a M. E. Thelbrugge, from an A. S. Thel-
brycg, a plank bridge. The name is common in A. S. charters.
Cp. Tilbridge Lane, Roman Way, York to Doncaster.
Timberdine, h., \\ m. S. of Worcester. 1347 Timberdene.
A. S. timber-den, Timber valley. ' Timber ' meant (and
means) trees large enough for building with. A. S. houses
were mostly of wood. V. Timberhanger.
Timber-hanger, h., 2 m. W. of Bromsgrove. D. Timber-
hangre (berewick of Bromsgrove) ; v. Timberdine. Hanger
M 2
164 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
(A. S. hangra) is a 'hanging' wood, a wood on a hillside
(v. Hanger). This means ' a hanging wood of large trees.'
V. Timberdine.
Timberlake, h., in Baynton. 14 c. Tymberlake. For
Tymber, v. Timberdine, and Timberhanger, ante. A. S. lacu
meant a wet place, a brook, but the word also came to mean
a large pool.
Tinkers Farm, Tinkers (Lower), in Frankley. 1373
Sync&eres!ond(\a.nd), Lyt. Ch. 202, 169. Charter 202 mentions
'Frog Mill,' an adjacent property. Charter 169 refers to
Richard le Synekar, doubtless from his occupation. There
is a popular tendency to convert a name, the meaning of
which is not understood, to something which has a meaning,
however absurd ; and then a story is invented to account for
the meaning.
Tirle Brook, rises near Teddington, flows into Severn
\ m. SW. of Tewkesbury. 780 Tyrle, C. S. 236 ; 785 Tyrl,
C. D. 150. Not an A. S. word. Professor Skeat says:
' River names are old, and the origins of them mostly un-
known ; ... it is quite unsafe to mix them up with modern
words.'
Titterford Mill, Titterford Farm, in Yardley. No
forms.
Titton, h., Titton Mill, in Hartlebury. No forms.
Tollerdine, h., in Warndon. 1327 Tolwardyn, S. R. ;
c. 1300 Tollwardyne. The terminal wardine means an
estate, property (v. Worth). Toll, in A. S., means ' a toll or
tax,' and also ' freedom from toll or tax.' Probably the estate
was tax free, or subject to some special liability. Cp.
Droitwich.
Tolton, h., 3! m. N. of Shipston-on-Stour. V. Talton.
Ton, Tone, Tun, terminals and occasional prefixes, are
A. S. tun, dat. tune, M. E. toun, Mod. E. town. The original
meaning of the word was ' an enclosure, a field or place
surrounded by a bank or hedge ' ; hence ' bar/0/*/ an
TIMBERLAKE TRENCH LANE 165
enclosure for corn, 'apple/on,' an apple orchard. It then
came to signify ' a separate dwelling with the land enclosed
about it.' Now it is usually applied to a large village,
a town ; but the original sense is expressed in most of our
pi. names ending in 'ton.' As late as 1389 Wycliffe writes,
Matt. xxii. 5 : ' But thei dispisiden, and wenten forth, oon to
his toun ' (farm), ' anothir to his marchaundise.'
Tonge, recorded in D. as a berewick of Alvechurch, is
probably now obs. ; but Nash (i. 19) says it exists in the
name of several lands lying between Alvechurch town and
Lea End. There are many places so named. It is A. S.
tunge, M. E. ionge, tongue, meaning in place names, tongue-
shaped land, sometimes a strip between streams which sub-
sequently unite, or a tongue of land between hills, or running
out to sea.
Torton, h., in Hartlebury (\ m. N. of). 130. Thorouthon
(on bounds of Feckenham Forest) ; 1275 Tor Ion, S. R. The
forms are corrupt. Probably the A. S. form would be
Thruhtun. Thruh means (a) a trough, pipe, conduit; (Z>)
a coffin, sarcophagus. In the North a ' through-stone ' means
a flat gravestone. The probability is with the first con-
struction the town of the pipe (conduit). V. Pipers Hill,
and Ton.
Tredington, 2 m. N. of Shipston-on-Stour. 757 Tredingc-
tun, C. S. 183 (in this charter Tyrdda, comes (Earl), is said
to have formerly possessed the manor) ; 964 Tyrdtntune,
C. S. 1135; 978 Tredinctune, C. D. 620; 991 Tredmtune,
C. D. 676; D. Tredinctun; 1275 Tredinton. The prefix
represents the A. S. p. n. Tyrdda. This is supported by
the charter of 964. The other forms point to Treda ; but
the fact of Tyrdda having been an ancient owner (before
757) is confirmatory evidence; besides, the shifting of r,
preceding a vowel, is common. I read this as ' the town of
the sons of Tyrdda/ V. Ing, and Ton.
Trench Lane, in Himbleton and HuddingtoTi, 3 m. SE.
166 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
of Droitwich. 1327 Trench, S. R. ; 1648 A Highway called
the Trench. This is said to have been a saltway. Trench
is not an Old English word but borrowed from the French.
One of its meanings is a road or lane cut through a shrubbery
or wood ; Chaucer uses it in that sense, and it is probably
applicable to this case, the road running through woodland.
I am not aware of any evidence that it was a saltway, but
it is certainly an ancient road, and may have joined the
Lechlade saltway at Pershore. Cp. Trench, near Ellesmere ;
Trench Lane, near Wem; Trench Lane, near Wellington,
Salop.
Trent. There was a stream so named between the
Honeybournes and Evesham, C. D. iii. p. 396. The name
appears to be obsolete; it is worth recording, as it is
certainly prehistoric. The meaning of ' Trent ' is unknown.
Trimpley, h., in Kidderminster. D. Trmpelet, berewick
of Kidderminster; 1275 Trympeleye, S. R. ; 14 and 15 c.
Trympleye. The terminal is ley (q. v.); but the prefix is
too corrupt to construe.
Trotshall, h., in Warndon (| m. S. of). 16 c. Trotswell,
auncienlly Tottreswell; 1 8 c. Trotshill, Trotswell. The prefix
probably represents a p. n., but I cannot identify it ; the
terminal is clearly ' well ' (spring).
Tuck Mill, f., in Broadway ; Tuck Mill, in Welland ;
Tuck (The) (wood), in Spetchley. A Tuck-mill is a
' fulling or cloth mill ' ; v. Walk Mill. A Tucker is a cloth-
worker, hence the family name Tucker. The Tuck, as
applied to a wood, needs some local knowledge. The root
is A. S. tucian, to pull, pluck, full (cloth).
Tump Farm, in Staunton ; Tump (The), in Eldersfield ;
Tump (The), in Tenbury. This is not an A. S. word ; we
appear to have borrowed it from the W. twmp, a hillock,
mound. Cp. L. tumulus.
Tun, v. Ton.
Tuneslega, an unrecognized D. berewick of Bromsgrove.
TRENT UPHAMPTON 167
If not obsolete its modern name should be Tunsley.
A. S. p. n. Tun Tun's lea (v. Ley).
. Tutnall, in Claines, 3 m. N. of Worcester. 1275 Toten-
hull, S. R.; 1327 Totenhull, S. R. V. Tutnall Cross,
post.
Tutnall Cross, h., 2 m. E. of Bromsgrove. D. Tothehel,
berewick of Bromsgrove. 1 3 c. Tottenhull, Totenhull ; 1275
Totenhull, S. R. ; 16 c. Tuilenhill. ' Cross,' it will be observed,
is a mediaeval addition it may be because the hamlet stands
at cross roads. Mr. W. H. Stevenson suggests that the original
form has been at Tutlan-hyl Tutta's hill, which would yield
a modern Tutnall. V. Tutnall, ante.
Twyford, h., \\ m. N. of Evesham. 714 Tuiforde, C. S.
130; 10 c. Twyfyrde, 3 C. D. 396. A. S. twifyrde, double
ford, or two fords. V. Ford.
Tyseley, h., Tyseley Farm (moated), in Yardley. 1327
Tisseleye. A. S. p. n. Tisa Tisa's lea (v. Ley).
Uckinghall, h., m. W. of Ripple. 1275 Hugingehale,
Hugingale, S. R. ; 1 6 c. Ogginhale. I think the prefix
represents the A. S. p. n. Ucca + ing, in which case the
original form would be Uccingaheale the hall (or meadow
land) of the sons of Ucca. Uckinge esher and Uckingeford
are found in C. S. 158, 300, 727, and 1072. V. Ing, and
Hale.
Uffmoor Farm, Uffmore Green, Uffmore Wood,
v. Offmoor.
Uffnell Farm, in Whittington ; Uffnell Bridge, in Per-
shore. No forms, but I think the modern name represents
an original A. S. Uffanhyl Uffa's hill; Uffa and Offa are
only variant forms of the same p. n.
Uphampton, h., in Ombersley (i m. NW. of). 1275
Huphamtone, S. R. I suppose this must be read Up-home-
town, A. S. uppe, M. E. up, having the same meanings as
modern up. V. Ham, and Ton. ^... t
^ * i*.
* ,HH 1
& &*!
168 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Upthorp, h., 4 m. N. of Shipston-on-Stour. 990 Uppthrop,
C. D. 674. A. S. thorp, throp, means a hamlet, village. It is
a very common word in the North, but rare in Worcestershire,
where I find only two examples, this and Huntingthrop.
Up = Upper.
Upton (Old), h., in Blockley. 1275 Uptone, S. R. A. S.
uppe, M. E. up, up, above, on high Uptown. V. Ton.
Upton-on-Severn. 988 Uptune, C. D. 668; D. Uptun;
1275 Uptone, S. R. Uptune is mentioned in C. S. 579,
a. 888 ; C. S. 1282, a. 972 ; and C. D. 668, a. 988 ; but which
Upton is referred to it would be hard to say ; the meaning
is clearly Up or Upper town ; ' on Severn ' is a mediaeval
addition to distinguish it from other Uptons.
Upton Snodsbury, 6 m. E. of Worcester. Upton and
Snodsbury were formerly distinct. 840 Snoddes lea is
mentioned in C. S. 428 as on the bounds of Crowle, the
adjoining parish; 972 Snoddesbyri, C. S. 1281; D. Snodes-
byrte; 1275 Snodesbury; 1275 Uptone, S. R. ; 1327 Upton-
Snodesbury. It is possible that some of the charters referred
to under Upton-on-Severn relate to this Upton, the meaning
of which is, of course, Uptown (v. Ton). Snodd was a rare
A. S. p. n., and this is Snodd's burh (v. Bury). In the 9 c.
the name seems to have been Snodd's lea (v . Ley) ; both
names clearly refer to the same place. In early times
terminals frequently oscillated.
Upton Warren, 3 m. SW. of Bromsgrove. 714 Uptone,
C. S. 134; D. Uptune; 1275 Uptone, S. R. Perhaps some
of the A. S. charters mentioned under Upton-on-Severn refer
to this place; meaning Up town (v. Uptons, ante}. The
Warins and Fitz-Warins owned the manor in the 13 and 14 c.
Usmere, an ancient province around Kidderminster.
V. Ismere, and Broadwaters.
Vigo, h., in Stoke Prior. There are many localities
called ' The Vigo ' in the Midlands, but as I have not met
UPTHORPWALCOT 169
with any early forms I think it a mere fancy name introduced
here after the victory at Vigo in Spain, in 1702. Cp.
Bunkers Hill.
Wadborough, h., 3! m. NW. of Pershore. 972 Wad-
beorh, C. S. 1282 ; D. Wadberge. This is rather a common
name for hills. It is A. S. wad-beorh, woad hill. Woad
was a plant formerly used for dyeing blue, and in early
times, when families or communities commonly made their
own clothing, was much cultivated. It is now almost
superseded by indigo. Caesar tells us that our British
ancestors ' stained themselves with woad, which produces
a blue colour, and gives them a more horrible appearance
in battle.' It was an exhausting crop, and often forbidden
in leases.
Waddon Hill, \ m. W. of Shipston-on-Stour. Hwat-
dune, Hem. 347. Wheat Hill. F.Don. Waddon, in Surrey,
has a similar root.
Walcot, h., 2 m. NW. of Pershore. 12 c. Walecot\ 1275
Walecote, S. R. ; 14 c. Walcote. The terminal is plain A. S.
cot, a cot. Wale- is a difficult word to construe ; it represents
A. S. wealh, meaning (a) a stranger, foreigner, (3) a p. n.,
(c) a serf. There are some hundreds of Waltons and
Walcots in England, always found in Mercian A. S. as
Waletun or Walecot, but in East Midland and Southern
charters as Weal(h}- ; e. g. White Walton in Berks, was
Weallun, C. S. 762 ; Walton near Peterborough, Wealtun,
C. D. 726; Walton in Suffolk, Wealtune in 1046; and
Bishops Walton, Hants, Wealiham in 909 ; probably mean-
ing ' the town or home of the serf.' Cp. the numerous
Charltons and Carltons the churl or husbandman's town
a degree above the serf, the churl being free. I translate
this ' the serfs' cot,' though also it may be ' Wealh's cot,' or
' the strangers' cot.' Professor Skeat writes : ' M. E. wale=.
0. Merc. wala=-h.. S. weala, the correct gen. pi. of wealh.
170 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
The gen. sing. = A. S. weales; so it means "cot of the
strangers," i. e. of the Britons.'
Walk, Walkwood, in Web Heath ; Walk Mills Farm,
in Bromsgrove ; Walk Mills Farm, in Dodderhill. A walk
mill is a fulling or cloth mill, from A. S. wealcere, M. E.
walker, a fuller of cloth, from the verb wealcan, M. E. walke,
to roll. Hence the p. names Walker and Fuller. These
' walk mills ' were common in country districts toward the
end of the 18 c., when the manufacture of cloth began to
centralize.
Walloxhill, h., in Halesowen. 1309 Wallokeshale ; 1343
Walloxhale. I doubt if this name survives, though it is an
ancient hamlet, and gave name to an old family. The
prefix probably represents the A. S. masc. p. n. Wealuc, gen.
Wealuces, a regularly formed, but unrecorded, diminutive of
a compound name commencing Wealh-. The meaning is
Wealuc's meadow land. V. Hale.
Walton Hill, in Clent. c. 1400, 1553, Walton', 1615
Walton hill. The earliest form here is in 1400, and by that
time ' Walton ' had become a fairly common family name.
With present materials it is impossible to say whether the
place takes its name from a family residing there, or from an
older root. In the latter case I assume the A. S. form to
have been Waleton, and should translate it ' the town of the
serfs'; v. Walcot.
Walton, h., in Hartlebury. 1325 Walton. V. Walcot,
and Walton, ante.
Wannerton, h., Wannerton Down, in Churchill, near
Kidderminster. D. Wenveriun (berewick of Kidderminster) ;
1275 Wenforton, S. R. ; 1327 Wen/or ton, S. R. ; 14 c. Wen-
nortun, Wenforton; 1415 Wenforton. The terminal is plain
ton, q. v. Professor Skeat suggests that Wenver-, Wenfor-
represent the A. S. p. n. Wenforth Wenforth's town.
Waresley, Waresley Court, Waresley House, h., in
Hartlebury. 817 Waresley e, C. S. 361; 980 Wereslcege,
WALK WARRIDGE LODGE 171
C. D. 627 ; 979 Wareslczge, C. S. 627 ; c. 1108 W&reseley\
12 c. Wareslei. War was an A. S. p. n., and also formed
the prefix to many names, such as Watrbeald, Wccrbyrh,
Warfrilh, &c. This is Waer's lea (v. Ley). Waresley,
in Hunts, its old forms show to be ' Wethers' (sheep)
lea.'
Warkwood, h., 2 m. SW. of Redditch. 1242 Werewode,
I. P. M. (I think this should be read Werkewode; there
must have been a k or hard c.) Weorc was an A. S. p. n.,
and is also our modern word ' work/ with all its meanings,
including a fort, building, &c. Newark = New work. Werke
and Wark were M. E. forms of weorc. There may have been
an old fort or ' work ' in or near the wood.
Warley-Wigorn, h., anciently in Halesowen Manor.
D. Werwelie; 13 and 14 c. Werneleye, Weruelege, Wereulegh,
Werweleye ; 1 5 c. frequently, Werueleye. Probably the n in
the second form is a mistake for u, as it is never repeated.
Warley lay partly in Salop and partly in Worcestershire,
hence Warley-Salop and Warley-Wigorn (Wigornia being
the common Latin name for Worcestershire); these addi-
tions are modern (17 c.). The Salop portion has been
transferred to Worcester. ('The prefix must be much
shortened ; it probably represents a p. n., perhaps Wczr-
wulf! Skeat.) The terminal is doubtless ley, q. v.
Warndon, 4 m. NE. of Worcester. D. Wermedun;
1275 Warmdone, S. R. Werme is not a recorded A. S.
p. n., but I think it must have been one, as Wermes hore,
Werm's boundary, is recorded in C. S. 970, a. 956 (relating
to Dorsets.). The s before d would be likely to drop out.
I construe this ' Werm's hill ' (v. Don). A. S. wyrm means
a snake, serpent, worm. In M. E. it becomes werm, and
it would be right to translate the name ' Snake (or serpent's)
hill ' ; but the p. n. is the most likely.
Warridge Lodge, i \ m. E. of Bromsgrove, stands close
to the boundary between Bromsgrove and Upton Warren.
172 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
The original form was probably A. S. Hdrhrycg, boundary
ridge. Har (hoar) has a tendency in late M. E. to become
War ; v. Warstone, Warstock, Hoarstone.
Warshill Camp, prehistoric fort, z\ m. W. of Kidder-
minster, close to the border of Worcestershire and Staffordshire.
Immediately below is ' Hoarstone Farm.' Adjoining Warshill
Camp, ' Wassell Copse ' and ' Wassell Farm ' appear on the
O. M. of 1832; in the later editions both these places are
called 'Warshill.' Without forms, and the real modern
name being apparently unsettled, any construction can only
be ' guess.' It may have been originally A. S. weardsetl,
a place where watch was kept. V. Wassail Grove, and
Wastill.
Warstock House, Warstock Farm, Warstock Lane,
on the boundary of Kingsnorton and Yardley. The original
form would be Harstdc (hoarstoke), boundary place (v. Stoke).
The change from Hdr- to War- took place about the year
1500, and is not singular; whore until then was hore, and
whole was hole. Leland, c. 1540, says, 'Clee hills be holy'
(wholly) ' in Shropshire ' ; and some modern writers have
assumed them to be 'holy' to Salopians, and marvelled
wherefore.
Warstone Farm, in Frankley, on the boundary between
Frankley and Halesowen, formerly also the boundary between
Worcestershire and a detached portion of Salop. The
original form would be Harstan (hoarstone) boundary
stone. V. Hoarstone, Warstock.
Wassail Grove, h., z\ m. SW. of Halesowen. 1275
Warselde, S. R.; 1327 Warsfelde, S. R.; 1603 Wassell, S. R.
This, I think, should be read Warsfelde, the terminal being
A. S. and M. IL.feld, field, and the prefix the p. n. Wcer
Wser's field (v. Waresley, Field). The forms are rather late,
and Mr. W. H. Stevenson suggests that the original may
have been Weardseld, worn down by 1275 to Warselde,
meaning a watch-tower, or place where watch was kept
WARSHILL CAMP WELL AND 173
(v. Warshill Camp). (In A. S. seld and sell are synonyms.)
The first form favours Mr. Stevenson's suggestion.
Wastill, h., in Kingsnorton (i\ m. SW. of), and Waste
Hills, adjoining. 730 War self elde, C. S. 234; 780 War-
set hy lie y C. S. 847; 849 Wear self elde, Weorsei hylle, C. S.
455 j 93 Werst felde, Warsethylle, C. S. 701; D. Warstelle
(berewick of Alvechurch); 1275 Wasthulle, S. R. ; 1327
Wasthulle, S. R. The O. M. of 1832, i in., gives these
names as above; the O. M. of 1901, 6 in., perversely alters
both names to 'West Hill,' and adds also 'West Heath'
and ' West Heath Farm.' Our local names are really better
preserved by the illiterate than by the educated. The
terminals are of course ' hill ' and ' field/ but I cannot
interpret war set', it is not a p. n., and the forms are too
early to admit the suggestion that warset represents weard-
setL V. Wassail Grove.
Weatheroak, h., Weatheroak Hill, 2\ m. NE. of
Alvechurch. 1230 Wederoke; 1327 Wederhoke, S. R. M. E.
weder, weather, and oke, oak weather oak. Weather may be
used in the sense of ' exposed ' ; we speak of a wea/fier-cock,
really wtnd-cock. Weatheroak Hill stands on the bounds of
three manors, and the oak was probably a boundary mark.
Web House, J m. W. of Hanbury, takes its name from
a family of Webbe, Wibbe, Wybbe, who, Hab. says, p. 257,
formerly had an estate in Hanbury, and ' leafte theyre
surname to theyre habitation.' William Webbe was living
in Hanbury in 1275, S. R. It is a trade name meaning
a weaver.
Welland, 3 m. W. of Upton-on- Severn. 1196 Weneland;
1299 Wenlond; 13 c. Wenelond; 1385 Wenland; 1461
Wenelond. The terminal is A. S. land, M. E. lond, modern
' land,' with its varied meanings. Professor Skeat suggests
an original Wennan-land, Wenna's land (Wenna being an
A. S. p. n.), which would become Wenne-land, Wene-land,
Wen-land, Welland regularly ; // from nl.
174 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Weolegh Castle (moated), in Northfield. 1275 Weleye,
S. R. ; 14 c. Weleg, Weleye, Weolegh, Welegh. ('The prefix
probably represents A. S. w<zl, M. E. wcel, weel, a deep pool,
or stream ; the terminal is ley, q. v. " the lea of the deep
pool" In the North Well-ey describes that part of a quag-
mire in which there is a spring.' Skeat.) There was a
mediaeval castle here.
Weredeshale, an unrecognized D. berewick of Broms-
grove. The name may cling, in some form, to a farm or
field. (' Obviously A. S. weorodesheale (dat.), a place occupied
by a "host," where a set of men squatted in company.'
Skeat.) V. Hale.
Wstmancote, h., in Bredon, 4 J m. NE. of Tewkesbury.
D. Westmonecote ; 1275 Westmonecote, S. R. I think this is
Westman's cot. Though the name is not recorded in any
A. S. charter, it appears in D., among the Under-tenants of
Land, as Wesman, (' More likely Westmonna, gen. pi., West-
merfs cote.' Skeat.)
Westwood, h., Westwood Park, 2 m. W. of Droitwich.
There was anciently a house of Benedictine nuns here, subject
to the monastery of Fonteveraud, in Normandy. 972 Wesi-
ivude, C. S. 1284; 1275 Westwode, S. R. Plain West- wood.
Whiston, h., in Claines. 1262 Wystan, Wytstan; 13 and
14 c. Wyston, Whiston. 'So called from a white stone or
cross erected here. In William the Conqueror's time this
stone was pulled down, and used to build a lavatory for the
monks of St. Mary.' Nash, i. 209 n., citing Heming. The
original form of the name would be Hwltsldn.
Whiteford Mill, Whiteford Farm, i m. W. of Broms-
grove. D. Wileurde; 1327 John de Whyteford, S. R. The
urde of D. represents an A. S. worth ; Wite, probably A. S.
hunt White farm (v. Worth). The terminal changed from
worth to ford before 1327. Nash (i. 153) identifies Whitford
with Witeurde.
White Ladies Aston, v. Aston (White Ladies).
WEOLEGH CASTLE W1CCII 175
White-leaved Oak, Malvern Hills. The counties of
Hereford, Gloucester, and Worcester meet here. I have no
information about the tree ; the Quercus sessiliflora is
commonly called ' White Oak,' and ' Harden Oak.'
Whitlench, Old Whitlench, in Elmley Lovett. 969 at
Hwtlanhlince, C. D. 560. White Lench. V. Lench.
Whittinge, h., in Hartlebury. 1325 Whiielyng, Whyteling.
Ling, lyng, is a M. E. or dialectic word for heath plants or
heather. It is probably of Norse origin. The prefix appears
to be ' white ' White ling (heather) ; ling is not ' recorded '
in our language before 1357 (H. E. D.); here it is in
common parlance, in 1325.
Whittington, 3 m. SE. of Worcester. 816 Huitmgton,
C. S. 367 ; 989 Hwitinlun, C. D. 670; Heming's Chartulary
gives the name as Hutting tun, Huuitingtun, Hwiluntune ;
D. Widinlun. The forms represent A. S. Hwitinga-lun the
town of the Whitings (or sons of Hwit).
Whore Nap, h., 2\ m. SW. of Henley-in-Arden, lies on
the boundary of the counties of Worcester and Warwick,
and on a ridge. ' Whore ' is only a corrupt and late form
of A. S. Mr, here, a boundary (v. Hoarstone, Warstock) ;
Nap is A. S. cncep, M. E. knap, a small hill (v. Knap) the
boundary hill.
Wiburgestoke, an unrecognized D. berewick of Harving-
ton (near Evesham). A. S. Wtgburge, gen. of Wigburh, fern,
p. n., and stoke, q. v. Wigburh's stoke (place). Heming
mentions this berewick four times, and it is perhaps, in some
form, still a farm or field name.
Wiccii, Hwiccii. This name is commonly met with in
A. S. charters in the sense of the people of an ancient
kingdom, which comprised the present counties of Worcester,
Gloucester, and parts of Warwickshire and Herefordshire.
It appears to have been originally independent, but, later on,
tributary to the Mercian kings. In 693 Oshere is called
' rex Huicciorum,' C. S. 85. In 706 ^Ethelweard subscribes
176 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
himself ' sub-regulus ' son of Oshere ' quondam regis Wiccio-
rum,' C. S. 1 1 6. In 714 we find ' episcopus Wicciorum,'
C. S. 130. In 757 Eanberht subscribes himself ' regulus
propriae gentis Hwicciorum^ and his brothers, Uhtred and
Aldred, are confirming parties, C. S. 183. In 759 the three
brothers each subscribe as 'regulus/ by the licence and
permission of Offa, king of the Mercians, C. S. 187. In
767 Uhtred subscribes as 'regulus/ Aldred 'sub-regulus/
and Milred ' episcopus Hwicciorum,' Offa again consenting,
C. S. 202. Under the year 800 the A. S. Chronicle mentions
^Ethelmund, alderman of Hwicc iwn (dat. pi). By 875 the
Mercian kings appear to have assumed direct authority over
the Hwiccii, though Werferth is recognized as Bishop
Wiciorum, C. S. 541. These notes are sufficient for our
purpose. We may assume that the people were Hwiccii,
or Hwicciorum (in gen. forms), but the meaning of those
words or their connexion, if any, with wick we. do not know.
The names of ancient kingdoms are as puzzling as the names
of ancient rivers.
Wich, Wick, Wyke, a common terminal and occasional
prefix, is A. S. wtc, M. E. wic, wike, wyke, a dwelling,
village, &c. ; wtc was probably palatal (wych) in pronuncia-
tion (the t producing this palatalization of the c\ In any
case palatalization would occur in the dat. sing, voice ; the
k form remained in wtca, gen. pi., wtcum, dat. pi., where the
final vowel precluded palatalization. The word is not to be
confounded with wick, on the coast, generally from O. N.,
and meaning a bay ; nor is it to be assumed that wich, as
applied to salt towns, is the A. S. wtc. Skeat (Etymological
Diet. 709) treats that wich as = a brine-pit, and of Norse
origin ; but Wich was a common name for salt towns,
e.g. NantzOT<r, Middleze;^, Northzew'^, DroitzwVvfc, Shirley-
wich, centuries before Norsemen set foot in the country.
If wich = a brine-spring, it is in some archaic language ;
and we do not know whether the original form was hwic
W1CH W1CHBOLD 177
or wic ; v. Wiccii. D. records fifty-six manors as Wich or
Wtche, of which twenty-eight have ' Salinae ' attached to
them, so that there must have been some connexion between
wick and salt. ('I do not know why Nantwich, &c. are
centuries older than the Danes, who held nearly all England,
except Somerset and Devon, early in Alfred's time (871-902).
I think that both L. uicus and Norse wlk were borrowed into
English, and that both alike gave wick in the nominative, and
wich in the dat. ; so that both had the double form. The
" archaic language " in which wich meant " brine-pit " was
English, because a word meaning "creek" could so easily
also mean " brine-pit." Toller gives seali-wtc, a place where
salt was sold ; but it must first have been made ; and
I believe that the original sense of sealt-wlc may very well
have been " salt creek " or salt-pit. Anyhow, we have seal/
actually compounded with wic. The Norse vik is extremely
common in pi. names in Scandinavia. Cp. Salt-fleet, where
fleet refers to " stream," not to a town/ Skeat.)
Wichbold, 2 m. N. of Droitwich. 692 Uuicbold, C. S.
77; 815 Uuicbold, C. S. 353; 831 PffcfoA/, C. S. 400; D.
Wicelbold; M. E. forms Wicbald, Wichbald, Wichbaud, Wich-
bould. The charter of 692 says ' in vico quern nobili vocitant
nomine Uuicbold'; that of 815 is tested by Coenwulf, king
of the Mercians, ' in vico regis qui dicitur Uuicbold ' ; that of
831 is signed by Wiglaf, king of the Mercians, 'in regale
villo quae nominatur Wicbold.' It is therefore probable that
Wichbold was a permanent residence of the kings (or Reguli,
as they were sometimes termed) of the Wiccii, who were
tributary to the Mercian kings, and also an occasional resort
of the Mercian kings themselves. The terminal bold in A. S.
has two meanings : (a) a house, (l>) a superior house, a palace.
The prefix Wic- or Wich- is probably derived from its vicinity
to ' Wich ' (Droitwich), and I take the meaning to be ' the
palace at (or near) Wich'; that word can be more con-
veniently dealt with by itself. V. Wich.
178 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Wichbury or Wychbury Hill, a prehistoric fort in
Pedmore. No forms. For the terminal v. Bury.
Wichenford, 6 m. NW. of Worcester. 1007 Wiceneford,
Thorpe's Charters, p. 600; 15 and 16 c. Wickenford. The
form of 1007 represents Wicena-ford the ford of Wich-
elms, from A. S. wice (ce = ch}, a wich-elm.
Wick, h., i m. E. of Pershore. D. Wiche, Wicha. A. S.
wlc, a village. V. Wich.
Wick (probably now Henwick), Bushwick, Lower
Wick, Upper Wick, 2 m. W. of Worcester, eel Wtcan,
C. S. 1139. The boundaries show this Wick to be N. of
Teme. A. S. wic (nom.), a village. V. Wich.
Wickhamford, 3 m. SE. of Evesham. 709 Wtcwon,
C. S. 125; 972 Wtgwenn, C. S. 1281; on Wicweoniga
gemcera, C. D. iii. 396; D. Wiquene; 1275 Wike Waneford,
S. R. ; 1332 Wykewane, S. R. The only thing clear here is
-ford (q. v.), and that is a M. E. addition. The earlier forms
are insoluble. The adjoining manor of Childs Wickham,
2 m. S., but in Gloucestershire, is Childeswicwon and Wicwone
in C. S. ii 7, a. 706. The names appear to have a common
origin.
Wilden, h., in Stourport. 1275 Wybeldone, S. R. A. S. p.n.
Wigbeald (bold in war) Wigbeald's hill. V. Don.
Wild Moor, in Bellbroughton, 3 m. N. of Bromsgrove.
1275 La Wtldemore, S. R. 'the wild moor.'
Willingsworth Farm, in Upton-on-Severn. Willings-
worth is an ancient name, and not uncommon. It means
' the farm or property of Willing/ i. e. the son of Willa.
Willingwick, h., in Bromsgrove (N. of). D. Welingewiche,
Willingewic ; 1 3 c. Wylincwyke, Willingwike. D. says, ' there
are three miles of wood ... but the king has afforested it/
probably as part of the Lickey Forest. The forms represent
an original Willinga-wlc the village of the Willings (or
sons of Willa). V. Ing, and Wich.
Winnall, h., in Ombersley. 1275 Wylnehale (3), S. R. ;
WICHBURY WIT LEY 179
1327 Whilenhale, Wylenhale, S. R. I think these forms
represent an A. S. Willanhale, Willa's hall, or meadow land
(v. Hale). Willenhall, in Staffordshire, was at Willanhakh
in 732 Willa's meadow land.
Winterdine, mansion in Bewdley. Not an ancient name ;
built by Sir Edward Winnington c. 1760.
Winterfold, h., in Chaddesley Corbett (i m. W. of).
1275 Wynterfold, S. R.; 1327 Wynterfolde, S. R. A. S.
Winter-fold, a fold, or yard, for wintering cattle in.
Withall, h., 4 m. NE. of Alvechurch. 1275 Withale,
S. R. D. records Warihuile as one of the eighteen berewicks
belonging to Bromsgrove Manor; Nash identifies it with
Withall, and Mr. J. Horace Round, in his Domesday Survey
of Worcestershire, inclines to the identity, with reserve.
Certainly there is no other place in the county so likely as
Withall to represent this D. Warthuile. Warihuile must be
a corrupt form and is untranslatable. The form of 1275
points to an A. S. prefix of withig (g=y), a willow, withy,
and hale, meadow land (v. Hale) Withy meadow. Withig-
m<zd (meadow), Wilhig-ford, Withig-lea, Withig-wic, Withig-
mor, Withig-sl&d, Withig-broc, and similar forms, are common
in A. S. charters.
Withy Wells, i m. N. of Spetchley. V. Sundays Hill.
Witley, h., Witley Lodge, Whitley Colliery, in
Halesowen. 14 and i5c. Whiteleyfeld, Whyteleyfeld, Lyt. Ch.
Accepting the forms this is White-lea-field (v. Ley, and
Field) ; but earlier forms might yield a different meaning.
Witley (Great), io m. NW. of Worcester; Witley
(Little), h., in Holt (2 m. W. of). It will be convenient to
deal with these together, the forms being practically alike,
and difficult to distinguish. 964 Witlleage, C. S. 1134; 969
Willeag, C. S. 1242; 972 Witlea, Witleage, C. D. 682 ; n c.
Wihtlega, Th. Ch. 600; D. Wtllege; 1275 Witley e, S. R.
The forms are all late A. S., and have no inflections, con-
sequently it is impossible to construe Wit-. It may represent
l8o WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
a p. n. Wita, Hwit, or hwlt, white (colour); but then the
forms ought to be Wttankage, or Hwitanleage. Though
Witley is a common name it cannot be construed with the
forms before us. Many Witleys are certainly ' white lea.' V.
Ley, and Whitlench.
Witton, h., in Droitwich. 714 Wittona, C. S. 134; 1043
Hwitonam, C. D. 916; D. Witune in Wich, Witone in Wich;
12 c. Witton Petri Corbezun; 1340 Wytton St. Peter, Wytton
St. Mary. At the time of D. Witton was held in two manors,
one by Urse d'Abitot, the other by William, son of Corbucion.
The form of 1043 * s latinized, and clearly represents an
A. S. hwit-tun, white town (v. Ton).
Wolfho Wolf hill ; there was a place so named in Alve-
church in 1327, v. S. R. ; probably now obsolete.
Wollashill, ancient estate and mansion in Eckington, on
Bredon Hill. 1275 Wolaueshull, S. R. ; 13 c. Wollaveshall.
The original form in A. S. would be Wulflafes-hyl Wulflaf s
hill (v. Hill).
Wollaston Hall, i m. NW. of Stourbridge. 1327
Wolarston, S. R. The prefix certainly represents an A. S. p. n.
commencing Wul/-, I think Wulfgar, a common name
Wulfgar's town (v. Ton).
Wollescote, h., in Oldswinford. 1275 Wulfrescote, S. R.
A. S. p. n. Wulfhere Wulfhere's cot.
Wolverley, z\ m. N. of Kidderminster. 866 Wulffer-
dinleh, Wulferdinlea : this charter is a grant by Burgred,
king of the Mercians, to Wulfferd; only a late copy exists
and it is evidently corrupt; 866 Wulfweardiglea, C. S. 514 ;
1046 Wulfweardiglea, C. D. 766; D. Ulwardlei (Ul is a
common D. form for Wul/; the Normans could not
pronounce, and would not write, Wu-); 1275 Wolffardeleye,
S. R. The original A. S. form was clearly Wulfweard-inga-
leage, 'the lea of the sons of Wulfweard.' This would
develop regularly into Wulferding-, Wulverding-, &c. V. Ley,
and Ing.
WITTON WOODMANCOTE 181
Wolverton, 4 m. NW. of Pershore. 977 Wulfringeiune,
C. D. 612; 984 Wulfringtune, Wulfrinton, C. D. 645; D.
Ulfrinton (Ulf- Wulf] ; 1 2 75 Wolfertone, S. R. The original
A. S. form would be <zt Wulfheringa-iune, the town of the
sons of Wulfhere. V. Ton, and Ing.
Woodbury Hill, prehistoric fort, in Great Witley. The
A. S. form would probably be Wudu-burh-hyl, meaning
' wooded fort hill ' ; v. Bury.
Woodcock Hill, in Northfield. Henry Wodecoc was
living in Northfield in 1275 (S. R.), and probably conferred
his name on this place.
Woodcote, farm, 3 m. W. of Bromsgrove. D. Udecote
(Ude Wode)] 1275 Wodecote, S. R. Wood cot; was a
berewick (outlying farm) belonging to Bromsgrove Manor.
Woodhall, in Norton by Kempsey (| m. E. of). 1275
Wodeworthm, S. R. Wood farm ; v. Worth.
Woodhall, h., i m. E. of Kempsey. 1275 Wodewelle,
S. R. Wood well (spring). The change from ' well ' to
' hall ' is not uncommon, the pronunciation tending to
'Woodal.'
Woodhampton, h., in Astley. Wood-home-town; p
excrescent, v. Hampton.
Woodhou.se (The), Wood Bow, h., in Chaddesley
Corbett (r m.N. of), probably represent Wodehamcote, recorded
in the S. R. of 1275, under Dray ton, a h. in Chaddesley.
By 1327 the name had been shortened to Wodecote, S. R.
s. Chaddesley. Two families appear to have resided there,
both in 1275 and 1327 perhaps squatters on the outskirts
of Feckenham Forest. The meaning is ' the home-cot in
the wood.'
Woodhouse, h., i m. SE. of Ombersley. 1275 Wodehuse
(M. E. form). Wood house.
Woodmancote, h., in Defford (i m. SW. of). Probably
Woodman's or Woodmen's cot, but Wodemon (Woodman)
is recorded as a Worcestershire family name in 1275, S. R.
182 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
Woodmanton, ancient estate in Clifton-on-Teme. 1275
Wodemonton, S. R. M. E. Wodemon, woodman Woodman's
or Woodmen's town ; v. Ton.
Woodnorton, h., in Norton, in the Scars Wood. Wood
north town.
Woodson (Upper and Lower), h., in Lindridge. 1275
Wodeston, S. R. Wuda was an A. S. p. n., which in M. E.
became Wode (later Wood) ; this is Wode's town ; v. Ton.
Woolstans Farm, in Astley. 1327 Hugo de Wolstone,
S. R. The original form would be Wulfstanes-tun, Wulfstan's
town (v. Ton) ; the -ton has naturally dropped off.
Worcester. It has been said by early historians that the
British name of Worcester was Caer Wrangon (City of
Gwrangon) Mr. Henry Bradley (An English Miscellany,
15) suggests that Warwick was so named, and that the
identification of Worcester with Caer Wrangon, current
since the twelfth century, may be disregarded ; and he adds,
' the British name of Worcester is known to have been
Wigornia! Bede does not mention Worcester, but refers
to the locality as the country of the Hwiccas and Huiccii.
Worcester is referred to in innumerable A. S. charters, the
earliest in 691, as Weogorna civitate, Wegerna cester,
Weogornensis cecclesice, Wigom(enst's), Wigranceastre, Wegern,
Weogorn, Wtgorn, Wegern, Wigerna, Weogerna civitate,
Weogerna cestre, Weogorna civitate, Wigorna ceastre, Wigre-
cestre, Weogorna feaslre, Weogernaceastre, Wigreceaster,
Wtgorn, Weogern, Wtgorn, in metropoli Huicciorum, Wigra-
ceastre, Wigeraceastre, Wihgeraceastre. (These forms are in
order of date to 10 c.) D. Wirecestre. The county has
similar forms, with the addition of -scire in the 10 c. The
forms, upon the whole, appear to justify Mr. Bradley's
opinion that the original name was Wigornia (or Weogorn},
and what that means, or what language it is related to,
nobody knows. The cester (dat. ceastre) is an A. S. addition,
meaning a city or fortress, and may always be considered
WOODMANTON IVREN'S NEST 183
indicative of Roman occupation. The change from the
earlier to the later forms may be accounted for by the tendency
of an A. S. g, especially between vowels, to be sounded like^.
D. adopts the Wire- form, and the passage to Wor- is natural.
Worsley Farm, in Abberley ( i m. N. of). 1 2 c. Wermeslat,
Wervesleye ; 1275 Worvesle, S. R. ; 1327 Werwesle\ 1332
Worsley ; 1603 Worsley. There is a ' Wordley ' Farm i \ m.
E. of Abberley, but I think all the forms refer to Worsley.
The prefix doubtless represents a p. n., probably Warwulf
Wserwulf's lea (v. Ley).
Worth, a common terminal, is A. S. worth, weorth, wurth,
wyrth, zvter/A, homestead, farm, estate, property. It is allied
to A. S. worthig, weorthig, wurthig, wyrthig, sometimes found
as worthign, worthine, which has the same meaning. The
latter forms have frequently, especially in Salop, hardened
into wardine, e.g. Shrawardine, Belswardine, Pedwardine,
Cheswardine, &c. ; and in the SW. have become worthy, as
in Holsworthy, King's Worthy, &c.
Wren's Nest, Dudley (i m. NE. of), a lofty limestone hill.
This name is apparently modern, but in Dudley and Sedgley
records we find frequent mention of a pi. name Wrosne \ 1275
de la Wrosne, S. R. ; 13 c. de la Wrosne, I. P. M. ; atte
Wrosne. There is also a Wolfeswrosne in the Perambulation
of Kinver Forest (a. 1300), between Prestwood and Kinver,
which I cannot identify. Wrosene is also mentioned in the
Valor of Pope Nicholas, c. 1288, as belonging to the Prior
of Dudley (the Wren's Nest adjoins the Priory) and worth
2os. a year, being one carucate. The possessions of the
Priory were granted on the dissolution to Sir John Dudley,
from whom they have descended to Lord Dudley, the present
owner of the Priory and Wren's Nest. I feel assured, violent
as the corruption may seem, that Wren's Nest represents
Wrosne. As to the meaning, Professor Skeat writes:
' M. E. o = A. S. a, ; Wrosne = A. S. wrdsne, short for
Wrdsene, dat. of wrdsen, a tie, fetter, knot. We may take it
184 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES
as a " knot," since that word is not unusual in pi. names. It
means a hill with a hump on it. A. S. wrdsn, wrasen, is
a regular derivative of wrilhan, to writhe, to twist tight' The
Wren's Nest is ' a hill with a hump on it ' ; it is uplifted
limestone, folded and twisted in a remarkable manner. In
the NW. ' knot ' is frequently applied to hills, e. g. Arnside
Knot, Bolland Knot, Hard Knot, &c.
Wribbenhall, near Bewdley. n c. Wrbenhala, Hem.
Thorpe; D. Gurbehale (berewick of Kidderminster); 1230
Wrbehale; 1240 Wrubenhale; 14 c. Wrubbenhall. The D.
Gu- represents W. The Normans made scanty use of W,
and expressed its sound by Gu-, e. g. Gulielmus for Willelmus,
Gualterus for Walter, &c. The prefix, I think, is the A. S.
p. n. Wrobba, unrecorded, but found in C. D. 1094, a. 910,
in thonon suth on wrobban lea cefisc 'then south on the
edge of Wrobba's lea.' In gen. form Wrobba becomes
Wrobban, hence the n in Wribbenhall, which I translate
Wrobba's hall, or meadow land ; v. Hale. It would seem
that Wribbenhall is more ancient than Bewdley, from which
it is only divided by Severn.
Wychall Farm (moated), in Northfield. I think this
must be rightly Wythall. It is an ancient place, and there
is no record of any Wychall in Northfield, or elsewhere ; but
Richard de la Withalle is recorded in the S. R. of 1275,
under Northfield. In mediaeval writing c and / were fre-
quently interchanged, being much alike. V. Withall.
Wynyards (The), in Ombersley; Wynyate Farm, in
Ipsley. A. S. wm-geard (g =J>], a vineyard. There appears
to have been a Wynyard in or near Malvern in 1275, as it is
mentioned three times in the S. R. of that year. There was
also a Wingard in Baldenhall, and a Wyngard in Powick.
The terminal -yate is probably a corrupt form of ' yard,' as
'Vine-gate' would be unlikely. Compton Wynyates in
Warwickshire should be Compton Wyngard ; there is ground
near the Hall there still called the Vineyard.
WRIBBENHALL YIELDING TREE 185
Wyre Forest. There is scanty mention of Wyre Forest
in Worcestershire records, because it belonged to the Crown ;
its history has yet to be written. It appears always to have
been ' Wyre,' and, being on the W. side of Severn, I should
have little doubt it is Welsh wyre, a spread, an expanse, in
allusion to its size ; it is said to have once extended over the
east side of Severn. Wyre Fawr, Great Spread, Wyre Fach,
Little Spread, are rivers in Cardiganshire. Cp. the Wyre
river in Lancashire.
Wyre Piddle, v. Piddle (Wyre).
Yardley, 4 m. E. of Birmingham. 972 Gyrdleahe, C. S.
1281; D. Gerlei; 1275 Jerdekye, S. R. ; 13 and 14 c.
Yerdeley. All the forms are plain variants of an A. S.
geard-kah. Geard (g =j/) has a wide meaning, an enclosed
place, yard, court, house, a district. For the terminal
v. Ley.
Yarhampton, h., in Astley. I suspect this is a Sard-
hamlon (now apparently obsolete) which is twice recorded in
the S. R. of 1275, sub Astley. The terminal only is clear;
v. Hampton, and Sar House.
Yarringtons, h., in Alfrick. No forms. Probably
gave name to the family of Andrew Yarranton, the author of
' England's Improvement by Sea and Land,' &c. He was
born at Larford, in Astley, in 1616.
Yielding Tree, h., in Broom. 13 c. Stephan de Gildinfre,
Lyt. Ch. ; 1275 Gyldintre. The forms are late, but I think
the in represents an A. S. an, giving an original Gildantre,
Gilda's tree. It may seem strange that Gildan should
become ' yielding,' but it is according to rule. In M. K
g before e and i changed to y ; ' to yield ' in A. S. was
gieldan, our ' year ' was gear, ' yellow/ gealu, ' yolk,' geolca,
' ve / ge* and so on. Queen Elizabeth wrote yeven for
'given.' Much of this has been altered in modern
English.
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