CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 ENGUSH COLLECTION 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 JAMES MORGAN HART 
 
 PROFESSOR OF ENGUSH 
 
Cornell University Library 
 DA 670.W9D87 
 
 Worcestershire pl3Cfi„n,f!r|i',^i^i 
 
 3 1924 028 041 543 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028041543 
 
WORCESTERSHIRE 
 PLACE NAMES 
 
OXFORD : HORACE HART 
 PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY 
 
WORCESTERSHIRE 
 PLACE NAMES 
 
 W. H. DUIGNAN 
 
 LONDON 
 HENRY FROWDE 
 
 OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AMEN CORNER, E.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' (190a) 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 
 'po'pvila.r pronunciation is often o/ 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 
 
Vin 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. hlmw, 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 {scathe) 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 '^^ 
 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-Tolhr, Bosworth-Toller's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary. 
 c, century. 
 
 C. D., Kemble's Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici. 
 Cp., compare. 
 
 C. S., Birch's Chartnlarium Saxonicum. 
 D. , Domesday Book. 
 dat., 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. 
 h., hamlet. 
 Hab., Habington's Survey of Worcestershire (Worcestershire Historical 
 
 Society, 1895). 
 H. E. D., Historical, or New, English Dictionary. 
 Hem., Hemingi Chartularii Ecclesiae Wigomiensis. 
 /., Irish. 
 
 /. P. M:, Inquisitiones Post Mortem. 
 L., Latin. 
 
 Lyt. Ch., Charters of the Lyttelton Family at Hagley (Jeayes). 
 m., miles. 
 
 M. £., Middle-English. 
 
 Nash, Nash's History of Worcestershire, 1799. 
 N. E; Norman-French. 
 obs., obsolete. 
 0. E., Old French. 
 0. M., Ordnance Map. 
 p. »., personal name. 
 //. »., place-name, 
 .y. 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 Albedeleye. A. S. p. n. Ead- 
 beald, Eadbald — Eadbald's lea. V. Ley. 
 
 Abberton, 6 m. NE. of Pershore. 969 Eadbrihtincgtune, 
 C. S. 1242. J). Edbriione; 1275 Edbrision, S. R. ; 1538 
 Aburton. A. S. p. n. Eadbeorht, Eadbriht-ing-tun=.\!a& town 
 of the descendants of Eadbriht. V. Ing and Ton. The ing 
 appears to have dropped out by D. Abberton in Essex (D. 
 Eadburghetun) is Eadburg's town. 
 
 Abbots Leneh, ». 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 Woodl'arm, 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 Aclone, S. R. 
 A. S. Actun, Oak town (v. Ton). The A. S. long a usually 
 
 B 
 
2 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 developed into oa, but before two consonants (not including 
 h, V, or / in all cases) it became a; v. Skeat's Primer of 
 English Etymology, Clarendon Press, p. 25. 
 
 Acton Beauchamp, 4 m. SE. of Bromyard. 718 Aaclune, 
 
 C. S. 146; g6g AclunetCS). 1242; 972 ^f/««f, 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 Acherge (z), S. R. 
 A. S. (ai) ac beorg — Oak hill. 
 
 Aggborough., h,, i m. S.of Kidderminster. 1275 Akberewe, 
 Agberrow, S. R. ; 1340 Agberwe. A. S. (af) ac beorg — 
 Oak hill. 
 
 Alcott Farm, in Alvechurch. 1275 Alecote, S. R. j. Alve- 
 church. The terminal is plainly A. S. col, 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 Ealdortnannes- 
 iun. Alderman's town (w. 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 ^Idermanesione, 
 which confirms the construction. 
 
 Aldington, h., in Badsey (2 m. E. of). 709 Aldinione, 
 C. S. 183; 9 c. Aldaniune, C. S. 364; D. Aldinione; 1275 
 Aldington, S. R. The prefix probably represents the A. S. 
 p. n. Ealda (frequently written Aldd), 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 
 (». Ton). Eald (old) forms the prefix to a large number of 
 
.: ^QTON BEAUQHAMP—rALSTQK 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 Eadulfingiune (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 (». Wich) ; 
 the -ic represents an original -wic. 
 
 Allsborough Hill, \ m. W. of Pershore. 709 ElUsbeorh, 
 C. D. 1368; 709 Halleslorge, C. S. 125; c. i6io Ayles- 
 borough, Aleshorough, Hab. ii. 247. The terminal is A. S. 
 heorh, dat. leorge, a hill, which frequently becomes ' borough ' 
 (^. 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. ^lles, gen. of ^lli= Dili's hill.' 
 
 Alrettine, D. ; 1023 Ealrelune, 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 ton. 
 
 Alston, h., in Little Washbourn, 6 m. E. of Tewkesbury. 
 1050 ^Ifsigestun, C. D. 805; 1275 Ahodone, Alstone, 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 oi .iElfsigestun 
 would be Al'syston (^■=y); they was not sounded between 
 / and s, as a rule ; when three consonants come together the 
 riiiddle one goes ; no one pronounces the t in castle.' (Skeat.) 
 Alvestone, near Stratford-on-Avon, was also ^l/sigestun (C. S. 
 1233); but Alstone, in Staffordshire, was ^Ifweardestun', 
 Alstone, in Gloucestershire, is recorded in D. as Aluredestme, 
 
 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 
 ^l/noth). Hence there is no etymology without history, 
 and modem forms alone yield poor material for con- 
 struction. 
 
 Alton, h., in Rock. D. Alvintune; c. 1108 Alcrinione ; 
 1275 Alvynion, 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-, 
 Alvyn- represents the A. S. p. n. ^Ifwine, which frequently 
 appears as Alwin, Alwine, and would easily pass into 
 Alvin. I construe Alton as Alwin's (earlier ^Ifwine's) town ; 
 V. Ton. 
 
 Alve, r., tributary of the Arrow (Cassell's Gazetteer, j. 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 (y. 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. 
 
 AlTechuroh, 4 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 780 ^Ifgythe 
 cyrce; D. Alvievecharche; iio?> ^Ifiihe cyrce ; 12 c. Alvielhe- 
 church ; 1323 Alveythchurch. ^Ifgyth was a fem. A. S. p. n., 
 and cyrce is our modern ' church,' so pronounced. The 
 church is dedicated to St. Lawrence j perhaps ^Ifgyih 
 founded it. The g in her name was sounded like y, and 
 merged with the following vowel according to rule. The 
 modern pronunciation is ' AUchurch.' 
 
 Ankardine Hill, in Knightwick, 6 m. W. of Bromyard. 
 1275 Oncredhavi, S. R. ; 1327 Oncredam, S. R. ; 13 and 14 c. 
 (frequently) Ancredam, Ancredham; 1645 Anker den. 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 oiigmdX 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 12 c. 
 
 Apes Dale, h., in Bromsgrove. 1552 Apedale. Ape is 
 probably the A. S. p. n. Apa mas., Ape fem., in which case 
 the original form would be Apandale-=K^e'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, 1 m. S. of Stourport. D. Arleia; c. rio8 
 Arleia; 12 c. Ernleie (Layamon's Poems). Upper Arley, 
 7 m. N., was 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.) Arley 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. 
 Admiscole; 1327 Edmundescote, S. R. A. S. p. n. Eadmund, 
 and col, a cottage — Eadmund's cot. The change from 
 Eadmundes- to Arms- is a strong example, but not to be 
 doubted. 
 
 ArroWj 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.' 1 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. Asselerga; 
 12'j^ Essederowe,S.'R.; 1^21 Assheierwe,S.K. The prefixes 
 represent A. S. asc (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 Kingsnorton. 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 that 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 7 
 
 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. ; 1 340 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 J m. S. of Stourport. D. Eski; 13 c. yEsilege; 
 13 c. Estley, Astle, Eslele; 14 c. Astley. These forms give us 
 'Eastley ' {y. 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 Auslan, 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. 12'} s Estone, S.R.; 13'JS Banging 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 wilh 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. Sutton, 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. Eslon — East town (p. 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, \\ va. NE. of Worcester. No 
 forms. Doubtless M. E. Aslwode — East wood. 
 
 Astwood, in Wichbold, 2J m. NE. of Droitwich. 12 c. 
 Esiwood; 13 c. Astwode; 17 c. ^f/ze;o(fi?= Eastwood (». Ast- 
 wood Bank, post). 
 
 Astwood Bank, h., 3 m. S. of Redditch. 1242 Estwode. 
 A. S. East-, Est-, M. E. Asl-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 jElinc weg (3), 
 C. S. 1 106, 1 107 ; 970 ^ilinge garstun, C. S. 1139. ' The 
 forms represent the recorded p. n. Siting = son of ^tti ; 
 weg, w&y,gcBrstun, meadow — Citing's way, .iEtting's meadow. 
 The right form must have been ^ttinga 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-Stonr, 3 m. SE. of Stratford-on-Avon. 
 T). Edricestone; 122'j Aderichestan,Adrichestone. The forms 
 yield the A. S. p. n. Eadric, and stan, stone — Eadric's stone 
 (z). Hoarstone). Atherstone, in Warwickshire (D. Ader estone), 
 is Eadred's town; and Atherstone, in Somerset, .(E.helheard'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 0/er hurne, Earle's Charters, 239. K.S. oter^ 
 an otter, and burn, a brook — the brook of the otter. 
 
 Aust Cliff, h., and farms in Wolverley. 1275 Ahtanclive, 
 Ahtanesclive, S. R. A. S. p. n. Ealhstan, and c/z/"— Ealhstan's 
 cliff. The word clif was frequently applied to mere hills, or 
 rising ground. Close to Aust Cliff is Clee Hall, dee being 
 the dat. form of clif. 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; ig^Austan, 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, A/ene, A/on, and 
 occasionally Hafene and Ahon. It is not an A. S. word, 
 but Old Celtic abond, W. afon, avon, I. ahhain, G. abhuinn 
 {bh = »), 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 
 
lO WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Worcestershire Avon (there is a river ' Afon-Wrangon ' in 
 South Wales, 2 m. SW. of Herwain). Cp. Rea. 
 
 Axborough Farm, Axborough Wood, Axborough 
 Iiaue, 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. 
 y£cd, gen. yScces = ^cces-bury, or barrow (q. v.). 
 
 Bach, Batch, a common terminal in Shropshire and Wor- 
 cestershire, and an occasional prefix. It is A.S. bace (bach), 
 M. E. iache, ' 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 b^ce — hvodk), and, in spite of its obvious 
 meaning as used in the charters, is translated ' beech tree ' (also 
 bcBce). Layamon, who lived at Arley Kings, and wrote his A. S. 
 poems about the year 1200, uses the words beech, bache, bcBche, 
 pi. bcBchen, 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, — alls 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 Bachecoie (2), S. R. ; 
 I'^^o Bachecot; 1^ c. Bachecoie. Thxs'is K.S. bcece (ce = ch), 
 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. 
 Badesei. Always belonged to the Abbey of Evesham. A. S. 
 p. n. Badd, gen. Baddes, and ig, 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. Baldehale; 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 ' Baele.' 851 BceU, 
 C. S. 462 ; 962 BceU, C. S. 1086 ; 1042 Bale, C. D. 765. 
 A. S. bcel means a funeral pile, a fireplace, a hearth. It is 
 difficult to apply accurately any of these meanings to a 
 stream, but a fyrnace on its course might give rise to the 
 name. Iron was certainly smelted at Worcester in Roman 
 or Saxon times. 
 
 Eanbury Stone, on the summit of Bredon Hill. 778, 
 'In cuius cacumine urbs est antique nomine Bmnintesburg' 
 (on the summit of which is a city of the ancient name of 
 Bsenintesburg), C. S. 232. The terminal bury is from the 
 dative of A. S. burg, later burh, a walled town, city, &c. 
 (». 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 : ' BcBnintes is a misprint for Baninces, by-form 
 of Bseninges, 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.). 
 
 Banntitt 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. *hannut must 
 become bannut' 
 
 Bant Farm, in Suckley, on the boundary of Herefordshire 
 and Worcestershire. i%o6 The Banie. This is an old name, 
 but I can make nothing of it. 
 
 Barbourn, h., i m. N. of Worcester. 904 Beferhurn, 
 C. S. 608. Nash says, ' takes its name from a brook anciently 
 Beferburn, later Beverhourn, here running into Severn.' 
 A. S. befor, beo/or, 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 (». Bevere, Bever- 
 bourn, and cp. Beverley in Yorkshire). 
 
 Bare Moor, now a colliery, i m. NE. of Cradley. 1274 
 Barcfen, 1275 Bareffen, S. R. ; c. 1309 Bereffen, Bareffen, 
 Bares/en, Lyt. Ch. A, S. bmrfenn, 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. 
 
 Sarneshall, h., i m. S. of Worcester. 1327 Newelerne, 
 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. icern), the er being pronounced ar. 
 
 Baruhall, f., i m. S. of Ombersley. This I take to be 
 Bernes ende, referred to in a charter relating to HaUow, a. 816, 
 C. S. 356. A. S. hern, 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^a//.' 
 
 Barnsley Hall, ancient estate in Bromsgrove. 1275 
 Barndekye, S. R. ; 1327 Barndek (^2), S. R. ; 1332 Barnde- 
 leye, S. R. ; 14 c. Brandeky, Barndesley. Hab. writes, ' thys 
 seate of auncient gentry.' ' The forms are late ; they probably 
 represent an original Brandes-leah, the lea oi Brand, a common 
 A. S. name, and common still.' (Skeat.) 
 
 Barnt Green, h., 2 m. NW. of Alvechurch. 17 c. 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. here-tun, a farm- 
 stead, rickyard, granary. 
 
 Basten Hall, in Suckley. 1275 Basienhale, S. R. ; 1327 
 Basienhale, S. R. ; 1332 Basiendale, S. R. The terminal 
 may be read ' hall ' or ' meadow ' {v. Hale), but I can make 
 nothing of ' Basten.' Baston in Lincolnshire was Basion long 
 before the Conquest, and Bastwick in Norfolk was Bastwic \ 
 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. Beornslan, and ford (q. v.) — Beornstan's ford. 
 Cp. Basten Hall, ante. 
 
 Battenhall, h., i J m. SE. of Worcester. 969 Baianhagan, 
 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 
 there was a small engagement here, about the time of the 
 battle of Worcester. 
 
 Baynhall, in Kempsey. 1275 Beynhak, S. R. ; 1469 
 
BARliUIV SEAJSH:SLn MILL I5 
 
 Beneshall. Nash, ii. i8, 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 Beane- and Bayn-. Baynhall probably represents 
 an A. S. Beagan-hale (g=y) — Beaga's meadow land ; Beaga 
 =BcBga. V. Beanhall Mill, /w/. 
 
 Baynhall Parm, in Abberton ; Beanhall, in Newnham, 
 4 m. NW. of Tenbury ; Beanhall, i J 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,/oj/. 
 
 Bayton, 6 m. W. of Bewdley. D. Beiune; 12 c.Bertone; 
 1275 Bey ton, S. R.; 1339 Baynton. All the forms are corrupt, 
 but I think they represent an original A. S. Bagantun, Baega's 
 town (z). Ton). Bcsga 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 ^thelbald, king of the Mercians, grants to the servant of 
 God named Baegia (g-=y) lands at Daghs^ord (Daylesford) for 
 the purposes of a monastery there, C. S. 139: BcBganwellan 
 (Bsega'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 
 cBt/elda 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 
 
l6 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 locality which had acquired the name of Eeanheale — Bean 
 field (p. Hale). Cp. Barton-in-the-Beans, Leicestershire. 
 
 Beauchamp Court, in Powick. D. Bella Campo; 12 c. 
 Bella Campa. In L. deeds this name appears in L. garb. 
 The place takes its pame 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. 
 Beod-land is another term for land so appropriated. 
 
 Bellbroughton, 5 m. E. of Kidderminster. 817 Belne, 
 et Br acton, C. S. 360; D. Bellem, Brotune; 12 c. Belne, 
 Beoh:e; 1275 Belne-Bruyn, Belne- Simonis, Brocion, S. R. ; 
 14 c. Belne-Brocton, Belnebrotton, Braiune, B rattan, Brians 
 Bell, Bellenbraklon. 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-tim, 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, 
 ' ^Ifric and Holand held it as two manors ; it was and is 
 waste; the woodland is in the king's forest'; 1275 Belintan, 
 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 
 
HEAUCHAMP 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. 
 
 Bengewortli, Evesham. 709 Benigwrthia, C. S. 125; 
 714 Benincgwrthe, Benincguurlhe, C. S. 130; 780 Beninc- 
 wyrihe, 235 C. S. ; 907 Benm'ngcwyrd, Bennincweord, 
 Benningewyrth, C. S. 616 ; 979 Bynnyncgwyrthe, C. D. 625; 
 D, Benningeorde , Bennicworte. ' The A. S. p. n. Benning 
 = Benna + 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 i?^o«^//ifa,4, C. D. 1313; 1042 Beonelleag, CD, 
 765. The prefix is A. S. beonet, M. E. benl, bennet, 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 
 Benklegh ; 1429 Bentelegh. It is said this place is recorded in 
 D. as Beneslei {({.v), but it is a far cry from Beneslei to Bentley, 
 and the change should not be accepted without evidence. For 
 the meaning, ». 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 Beleye, 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 fanners' 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. 
 
 Berohelai, 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, i. 3 1 5). 
 suggests it is ' Bartley Green,' but I cannot find such a place. 
 
 Berrington, h., in Tenbury (2 m. W. of). D. Beritune; 
 1275 Beriton, S. R. D. frequently uses -i- for -ing-, probably 
 an abbreviation. The original form may have been Bcsringa- 
 iun, the town of the descendants of Bmra ; v. Ton. 
 
 Borrow, 8 m. W. of Tewkesbury. 12 c. Berga (latinized 
 form), Berewe {er=ar). V. Barrow. 
 
 Borrow, 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, w. Bury. 
 
 Besford, 3 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Beiles/ord, 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 (z). Scott's Stourbridge, 33, 34, and 
 Stourbridge, posi). 1275 Bettecote (2), S. R. ; 1365 Bettecote 
 in the manor of Oldswinford, Lyt. Ch. The meaning is 
 Betta's cot. 
 
 Beverbourn, tributary of Severn, i m. N. of Worcester. 
 
BERCHELAI — BIRLINGHAM 19 
 
 904 Beferlurn, C. S. 608 ; 969 Be/eric, C. S. 1242. A. S. 
 be/or, beo/or, beaver, and burne, M. E. bourne, a brook — 
 Beaver brook {v. Barbourn and Bevere). 
 
 Severe, h., and island in Severn, 3 m. NW. of Worcester. 
 Beverege insula Sabrinae, Mon. Hist. Br. 600 D. 11 c. 
 Beverie. A. S. be/or, beo/or, and ig {g =_)/), island — Beaver 
 island. F. Barbourn, anie, and Beverbourn ; ege and ie are 
 M. E. forms of tg. 
 
 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; i^8S Beaulieu; c. 1440 Bewdeley. It has always 
 been considered ' Beaulieu ' by Camden, Leland, and others. 
 Beaulieu, in Hants, is pronounced Bewley. Cp. pronunciation 
 of beauly ; the d in Bewdley is irregular. 
 
 Billesley, h., 3J 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 Eastham. ' 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 Oris (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. berc, beorc 
 (c-=cK), is here referred to, but, in Staffordshire, 'Birch' is 
 frequently a form of A. S. bryce, M. E. hruche, later birch, 
 meaning, in pi. names, a breaking up (for cultivation) of waste 
 or woodland. V. Breach, Ridding, Nemmings, Oris. 
 
 Birlingham, 2\ m. S. of Pershore. 972 Byrlinghamme, 
 C. S. 1 281 ; 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. hamm, riverside meadow land (o. Ham, b) — 
 ' the meadow land of the sons (or descendants) of the butler.' 
 Birlingham is on the Avon. To birle, 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 birltng' (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- 
 iune ; 1275 Morton Bree, S. R. ; 1327, 1340 Morton Brut, 
 S. R. This is plain Moortown (». 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. 
 
 Bishamptou, 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; 11 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 
 Bisantune by D. The forms yield ' the home town of Bisa ' 
 (gen. Bisan). 
 
 Bittell Farm, Bittell Reservoirs (Upper and Lower), 
 on bounds of Alvechurch and Cofton Hacket. 1648 Bittles, 
 Nash, i. 25. Emma By tilde and Richard Bitild^txt 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. Si.graf, 
 a grove — Black grove. V. Bells Farm. 
 
 Blackminster, h., in Aldington. A. S. mynster, 
 M. E. minster, a church, monastery — Black church (or 
 monastery). 
 
 Blackmore End, Blackm.ore 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. 
 Hake, black). V. More. 
 
 Blackstone Bock, on Severn, i m. below Bewdley. 1275 
 BMeslone, 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 BlackwcBlle, 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.' 
 
 Blaekwell, in Wolverley, perhaps obs. 1 1 c. Blacewcelle, 
 Blakewelle, Hem. 261. V. Blaekwell, 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 blac, 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. Blah, and the ter- 
 minal may be hale or sele, both words having the same mean- 
 ing, ' hall, dwelling house ' — Blake's hall. 
 
 Blakesley Hall, Yardley. Blake is here probably a p. n. 
 (having the possessive s) — Blake's lea {p. 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 Blockley e, S. R. This is clearly Blocc or Blocca's lea 
 (». 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. 13 c. Bluntindon, 
 Bloniindon. Blunt is not recorded as an A. S. p. n., but it 
 must have been one. Bluntsdone, Blunt's hill, and Bluniesham, 
 Blunt's home, are mentioned in D., and Bluntesige, Blunt's 
 island, in CD. 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. Boclintun; 1275 
 
BLADEN — BOROUGH 23 
 
 Boclinton ; 13 and xi, c. Boklynton, Bocklmgion, Bokelinlon. 
 I thought Bockle- represented the A, S. p. n. Beoccel ; Professor 
 Skeat says that is impossible, as A. S. eo only gives e or i, never 
 0. 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 132 1 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. 12c. 
 Bordesleye ; 1275 Bordeshale, Bordesley e, 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 ; w. Ley. 
 
 Boreley Farm, in Ombersley. 1275 Borleye. Perhaps 
 originally Bar-leah (long a — od) — the lea of the (wild) boar ; 
 but the only form is late. Cp. Wuljleah, now WooUey, 
 Heortleah, the hart's lea, now Hartley, and v. Arley, and 
 ■ Ley. 
 
 Borley House, on Severn, 2 m. S. of Upton. D. Burge- 
 /^«, berewick of Ripple ; \*io^Borsley Lodge. Probably the 
 D. Burge- is a form of A. S. burh (». Bury), and we should 
 read Burgeleye, ' the fort near, or on, the lea.' Cp. several 
 Burleys, and places commencing Burgh-. 
 
 Borougli, roreign. 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. 
 
 Borougli Hill, in Shipston-on-Stour. In a charter re- 
 lating to Shipston (the reference to which I have mislaid) this 
 place is called hathenan hyriggelse — 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. 
 
 BougMon, h., in Hill Croome (i^ m. NW. of). 1038 
 Bocctun, C. D. 760; 1275 Bocione, S. R. ; 1327 Bocton, S. R. 
 A. S. boc-tun, ' the town of the beech-tree ' (». Ton). 
 
 Bournbrook, village and river in Northfield. 1275 Byrne- 
 Iroc, S. R. A. S. hunt, 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. 
 ' 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. 
 
 Boweroourt Farm, in Rock (moated). 1332 Henry at/e 
 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 
 3rK^^« (bridge); 1351 Brade/brd; i^e-j Brade/ord. A.S.drdd, 
 broad, a,ud /ord — Broadford (». Ford). In 1300 Bradford 
 Bridge was one of the western bounds of Feckenham 
 Forest. 
 
 Bradley, h., 2 m. SW. of Feckenham. 789 Bradankge, 
 C. S. 256; 822 Bradanleage, C. S. 308; 962 Bradanlage, 
 C. S. 1086; D. Bradlege. Bradan is the dat. form of A. S. 
 Irad, 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. Brendhalk-=hvLmt 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 (w. 
 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 
 Branes/orde, C. S. 134; 1106 Bregnesford, C. S. 963; D. 
 Bradnes/ord ; _ 1275 Branes/ord, 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 Bregent, 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, Breacli 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, 3J m. E. of Worcester. 840 Bradigcotan, 
 C. S. 428; c. 978 Bradingccotan, C. D. 683; D. Bradecoie; 
 lie. Bradicoie, Bradecote. Cotan 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. Brehylt) ; and Bradden, Northants {Bredun 
 in 664). 
 
 Bredons Iforton, v. Norton-by-Bredon. 
 
 Brend-, v. Brand-. 
 
 Bretforton, 3J m. E. of Evesham. 709 Bretferton, C. S. 
 125; '}i\Broifortun,Bretfertun,Q,.'S>. 130; ?:6o Brad/erdlun, 
 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 2^ 
 
 Bricklehampton, 3 m. SE. of Pershore. D. Bricstelmes- 
 tune; 12'] 5 BrysiMmpf on, S.R.; I'^c. Brikhthelifiton. This 
 is ' Beorhthelm's town' (w. Ton); but beorht-, bright, has 
 gone through some changes, and we find Beorhthelm written 
 Brihthelm and Brichthelm. 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. 
 
 BriEtituue, 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. 13 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. berstan; 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. j. 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. BrddwcBsc 
 {sc=sh)—hxo3.d wash (land liable to flood, a swamp). Cp. 
 Sugwas, Alrewas, Moccas, all on river sides. 
 
 Broadwaters, h., in Wolverley. The ancient name was 
 Usmere (». Ismere). Here is a long lake, or series of lakes. 
 on the course of the Stour. 1275, 1327 La Lake, S. R. ; 
 171 3 Broadwaters. 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. 
 Bradeweia; 1275 Bradeweye, 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- 
 coie, S. R. ; 1679 Brockencoti. 'The 13c. form suggests an 
 driginal Broc-hdm-cotan-=2it 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. hroc, a brook — Brook hill. The form is late (v. Brock- 
 hill, post). 
 
 Brockhill Farm, Brockhill Wood, in Beoley. 1275 
 Brokhull, S. R. ; 1327 Brochull, S. R. ' Brook hill,' v. Brock- 
 hill, ante. 
 
 Bromsgrove. 804 BremesgrcB/an (dat.), C. S. 313 ; 804, 
 821 Bremesgraf; 822 Bremesgraf; D. Bremesgrave ; 1275 
 Bremesgrave, S. R. A. S. p. n. Brim, and gra/, grove — 
 Brem's grove. Brem means renowned, illustrious. A 
 Br em 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 HACKET 29 
 
 mentions ' the manor of Frankley, Bromwich, and OldenhuU,' 
 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. 1273 Brochamtone, 
 Brokamtone, S. R. This in A. S. would be Broc-ham-tun — 
 Brook home town (». 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 Bromhak, 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 Bromhah, 
 S. R. {v. Broom Hall, ante). 
 
 Broom Hill, h., in Bellbroughton. 1275 BromhuU, S. R. 
 Broomy hill {v. Broom Hall, ante). 
 
 Broughton, or Drakes Broughton, h., in Pershore (2 J m. 
 NW. of). 972 Brodune, C. S. 1282; D. Broctune; 1275 
 Broctone, S. R. V. Broughton Hacket, post. William U 
 Drake was living here in 1275, S. R. 
 
 Broughton Hacket, 6 m. N. of Pershore. 972 Broctune, 
 C. S. X281; '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 
 
 Hacket. All Broughtons (in the Midlands) were originally 
 Brociun — Brook town. Bellbroughton, though spelt Broctune 
 in A. S. charters, is Brolune in D., and in the 13 c. is written 
 Broiune, Broton, and Brotlon. 
 
 Broughton (Temple), f., BroughtonWood, Broughton 
 Green, in Hanbury. V. Broughton Hacket, 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 Buggildestrei, Buggildstret, ac inde in ealdgare 
 quod mdigenae nannemonnesland vacant secus Buggildestrei 
 (' 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 strat (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 
 Burghild {v. Crawford Charters, p. 56), so the forms agree. 
 V. Icknield Street, Hayden Way. 
 
 Buflfwood, 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 13c.' 
 
 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 3I 
 
 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 ; 
 op. 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 (z). 
 Vigo). Cp. Bunkers Hill, in Kinver; Bunkers Hill, near 
 Bilston. 
 
 Burcote, h., ij m. NE. of Bromsgrove. D. Bericote 
 (berewick of Bromsgrove) ; 1275 ^rco/^, S. R. ; \j,oo 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. Bur/ 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. byrig, byrg, M. E. burgh, borowe, 
 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 diflBcult to distinguish 
 the forms, which in M. E. are very varied, from A. S. beorg. 
 
1 ^ 
 
 32 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 heorh, heorge, a hill, tumulus {v. Barrow). The r was strongly 
 rolled, and the h was like Scotch ch in 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. 
 
 Bttsliley, 2 m. NW. of Tewkesbury, D. Bisekge; 1275 
 Bisseky, 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, 
 bise-, or the later bisse-, as forms of ' bush.' They probably 
 represent the A. S. p. n. Bisa, 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, 6J 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. 
 
BUSHLEY — CARANT BROOK 33 
 
 Cakebould, h., in Chaddesley Corbett. 1275 Cakebak, 
 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 Caldicoie, derived from the A. S. form, at thdm caldan 
 cotan, ' 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 13 c. surname, or nickname, is ' le kale we ' 
 
 , —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 Ccerent, C. S. 236 ; 778 Carent, C. S. 232 ; 
 875 Kcerent, C. S. 541; 977 Karente, C. D. 617. ^rest 
 oftham burhgangeate in Kcerente — ' first from the gate (wide 
 enough for one) of the burh, to Kserente.' There are entrench- 
 
 D 
 
34 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 ments on Bredon Hill, doubtless referred to in hurhgangeaie 
 {v. Bredon, and Banbury Stone). Carent 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. Carletufie; 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 (». Charlton). Carkeden I cannot trans- 
 late ; that also must be a corrupt form. D. records 27 ' Carle- 
 tune,' all, except in this instance, in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, 
 and Nottinghamshire ; and i8 ' 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 CatteshuU; 13 and 14 c. 
 Cateshull, Kateshull. A. S. p. n. Ccet ; M. E. hull— Cxt'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. 
 
 Chadbiiry, h., in Norton, 2 m. N. of Evesham. 714 
 casiellum de Chadelburi, C. S. 131; 860 Ceadweallan by rig 
 {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 hyrig could have been shortened to Chadelburi 
 by 714. 
 
 Chaddesley Corbett, 4 J m. SE. of Kidderminster. 816 
 Ceaddesleage, C. S. 357. D. Cedeslai; 1275 Chaddesleye, 
 S. R. A. S. p. n. Cead, Ceadd (Chad)— Chad's lea {v. Ley). 
 The Corbets were its manorial lords in the 13th and 14th 
 centuries. 
 
 Chadwick, h., i m. SW. of Hartlebury. 1300 Chadeles- 
 wicke, 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 (ce:=cK) (». Wich). 
 It is impossible to disregard the le in the forms here, and in 
 Chadwick, post; v. also Chadbury. (In the 0. M., i ip. 
 1832, this place appears as 'Cherwick.') 
 
 Chadwick, h., Chadwick Grange, 3 m. N.of Bromsgrove. 
 D. Celdvic; 12*1^ Chadleswich, S. R. ; 1240 Chadelewick; 
 13 c. Chadeleswich, Chaddewyke; 14 c. Ckadeleswich ; 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. Ceorla-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; 11 c. Ceorleiune; D. Carletune; 1108 
 Ceorletune {ce = ch) — the churl's town (v. Charford). 
 
 Chaseley, 3 m. SW. of Tewkesbury. 816 Ceadresleahge, 
 Ceadreskage, C. S. 356 ; 1 108 Chaddesleia ; 1275 Chaddesleye, 
 S. R.— ' Chad's lea' (». Chaddesley, ante). 
 
 ChauBon, h., i^ m. SW. of Droitwich. D. Celvestune; 
 1 108 Chalvestone; 1275, 1327 Chalvestone, S. R. The forms 
 yield an original A. S. cealfestun (ce = cK), Calf's 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 Iiane, Kidderminster, part of an unrecognized 
 Roman way from Chester to Worcester, Gloucester, and Bath, 
 via Whitchurch, Newport, Whiston Cross, PatshuU, 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 Civincgiune, 
 C. S. 1282; D. Civintone; 1275 Kyvintone, Chyvinione, S. R. 
 From the A. S. p. n. Ceo/a (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 J m. SW. of ). 14 c. Chokenhull, 
 Chokhenhul, 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 Honeytaourne, v. Honeybourne (Church). 
 
 Churchill, 3 J m. SW. of Stourbridge. D. Cercehalk; 
 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. circe, cirice, 
 M. 'E.cyrce, chirche, circe, Sec, all pronounced church. 
 
 Church Lench, 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. 
 
 Claines, 3 m. N. of Worcester. Not in D., being included 
 in Northwick Manor. 11 c. Cleinesse, Hem. 427 ; from 12 c. 
 always Claines. 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. chy, 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. Clenl; always Cleni, 
 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. Klint, 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, Clints of Dromore, in Scotland (all hills) ; but 
 in the N. Scandinavian names abound. There is no other 
 Clent in England. — PS. Professor Skeat is 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 
 
 Clerkenleapj h., in Kempsey {i\ m. N, of). 1649 
 Clarkenkpp. 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 Povvick (3 m. S. of). 1275 Clyvelode, 
 S. R. ; 1300 Clivelade; 1319 Clyvelode; \^<)^ Ckveloade. 
 Cljyve, Clive, 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=d) (earlier gelad) 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 Clifiun, C. S. 700, Clifiune ultra 
 7aOT^(faOT (heading) ; D. Clistune; 1275 Clifton, 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. j points to a p. n. 
 Clowe or Clause was a Worcestershire family name as early 
 as 1332 (S. R.), and is probably here represented. 
 
CLERKENLEAP — COFTON RACKET 39 
 
 Cobley, h., ij m. SW. of Alvechurch. 12 c. Colleslee; 
 16 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. 
 
 Coohehi, in Doddingtree Hundred, an unrecognized D. 
 manor. In 1327 Richard Cokete is assessed to the Subsidy, 
 f. Suckley, S. R. Both names are curious, and somewhat 
 alike, and both have corrupt terminals. 
 
 Cockshute, Cockshutts, CockBhot, Cockshoot, Cock- 
 shut, the name of several hills, farms, and woods in Worcester- 
 shire. The word has two meanings: (i) 'abroad way or glade 
 in awood,throughwhichwoodcocks,&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. j. 
 Cock, j^.' 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). 
 
 Cofton Hacket, 5 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 780 Co/lune, 
 
 C. S. 234; 848 Coftune, C. S. 455 ; 934 Co/tune, C. S. 701 ; 
 
 D. Coslune; 1275 Co/tone, S. R. ; 1327 Costone, Co/lone, S. R. 
 In some A. S. charters the name is written Costone, but they 
 are only copies, and the j is a mistake for /, those letters m 
 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. co/a, a small 
 chamber or cell, a cove, and tiin, town {v. Ton). The 
 Hacket family held Cofton in the 12 c. and afterwards. 
 Co/a was not a p. n. Cp. Coven, in Staffs., and Coventry 
 (A. S. Cofantreo). 
 
40 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Cole, river, North Worcestershire. 849 Colk, 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 Colehrodks, 
 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 diflScult 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 ' Co\tman' \s 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 (w. More) corrupted to 
 Colewa«. 
 
 Combe, a common terminal in West Saxon pi. names, 
 and comparatively rare in Mercian. It is A. S. coml, cumb, 
 from W. cwm, a hollow among hills, a valley. 
 
 Comberton, h., ij m. SE. of Kidderminster. 1275 
 Cumhrintone, S. R. Cumbra was an A. S. p. n., and I think 
 this must be rfead ' Cumbra's town ' (». Ton). The n in the 
 form might be the gen. addition, or be the remains of an 
 original Cumbringiun, 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 Cumbrmcg/une, C.S. 12S2 ; 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 ofCumhes, 
 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 (». Combe). 
 
 Comhampton, h., in Ombersley (2 m. NW. of). There 
 are many -hamptons (rightly -hamtun) hereabout. Professor 
 Skeat suggests an A. S. Cuman-hdm-tun = home town of 
 Cuma; Cuma = stranger. 
 
 Conderton, h., in Overbury. 875 Cantuaretun, C. S. 541 ; 
 1327 Contertm, S. R. Professor Skeat says: 'The charter 
 of 875 is old and good; Cantaare=C<z«/z£;ffra — "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 hury 
 was a form, Coney-bury, or -burrow, meaning a rabbit 
 warren. 
 
 Coneyswick (or Conningswick), f., in Rock (| m. E. of). 
 Y). Colingwic; 1 2'j 5 Collihgwike, S.R.; 1327 Collyng{wtc), 
 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. 1250. 
 13 c. Cochulle, Cochull; 14 c. 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, CD. 1251 ; 
 1066 CulUcliffe; 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 Cuba'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. Coches=K. 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 diificult 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. 155) ; 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 broc, Coma wudu, Coma 
 lyth, otherne Coma broc, 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 coma is not 
 translatable. The terminals broc, brook, wudu, wood, lyik, 
 a hillside, are plain enough ; but coma 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. caucte, a raised 
 way across low, wet ground. The old meaning of ' lawn ' is 
 an open 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; 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. 
 ^"gg'< 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 monte 
 quern nominant incolae mens 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; 15 c. 
 Cotsold, Coisowlde, Cottasowlde, Cotieswold, Cotiyswold, 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., j. 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, cbI Codeswellan ' (Cod's spring), 
 C. S. 336. 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 
 Codeslune (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 Codeslune in D. 
 Later the d becomes /, and in 1275 it is Cotes tone, in the 15 c. 
 Cotesdon, 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 rarm, in Kingsnorton. 1275 Coderugge, 
 S. R. ; 1 32 1 Coderugge, Lyt. Ch. A. S. p. n. Code, and kricg, 
 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 (he 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 
 
l-U 1 IJ^KlVHi. fAKM — CKUOME 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. Coulesdone; 1332 Coulesdon; 16 c. 
 Coudesdon. The prefix represents the A. S. p. n. Ciil, 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. Cradekie; 12 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 Creda. Cradley in Herefordshire is Credleaie (ley) 
 inD. 
 
 Craycomb, h., Craycombe Hill, in Fladbury. 1275 
 Craucombe, Crowecombe, S. R. A. S. crawe, crow (bird), 
 cumh, valley — Crow valley. Perhaps in allusion to a rookery ; 
 rooks being commonly called crows. Cp. Crawley, in Hants 
 (A. S. Crdwan-lea), the crow's lea. Crawe was also a 
 fem. p. n. 
 
 Croome d'Abitot, 4 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Cromh, 
 C. S. 1 281; Cromban (dat.), C. S. 1282; D. Crumbe; 1275 
 Crombe Dabiioih, 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, Cromplon, 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, and were assessed to the Subsidy. 
 
 Croome (Earls), 4^ m. SW. of Pershore. 969 Cromman, 
 Croman, Cromian {A2X. 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. 
 
 Cropthome, 3 m. SE. of Pershore. 780 Cropponthorn, 
 Croppethorne, C. S. 235; 841 Croppanthorn, C. S. 432; 964 
 Croppethorne, C. S. 11 35; D. Cropetorn. The charter of 
 780 describes Cropthome as regalemvicum; the charter of 
 841 was written and signed at Cropthome by Berhtwulf, 
 king of the Mercians, on Christmas Day, his queen Saethryth 
 
{.KUOME \^ARLS) — 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 {Croppanthortie 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.' 1 77 1 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 
 Crowe/elde, 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. Croelai, Crohlea; 1275 Crowele, 
 S. R. The prefix is A. S. croh, commonly translated ' saiFron,' 
 but I am not sure it should not be • crocus,' from which bulb 
 saffron was produced (Gk. k/jokos means saffron). In the 
 charter of 840 Crokwell (spring) is mentioned, probably 
 because the crocus grew freely there. By 1332 Crokwell 
 appears to have become Crocuswelt, 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 
 
 Crowneat, 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. ; 14 c. Cruckeberwe, Crokkebirewe. 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). 
 
 Crundels 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 Droit wich. la 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 
 (y. 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 CurtiUr, 
 Curtekr, Curtilar lived in Frankley and are frequent witnesses 
 to local deeds in the 13th and 14th centuries (Lyt. Ch.). 
 The original name is ' le Curtiler,' which means ' the Gar- 
 dener.' 
 
 Cutsdean, 5 m. NE. of Winchcombe, I have dealt with 
 this under the ' Cotswolds' (q.v.). 
 
 Darlingsoot, 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) ; ». 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 DagUs- 
 ford, C. S. 139; 777 Deilesford, C. S. 222; 841 Dagles- 
 ford, C. S. 436; 964 DcEiglcEsford, C. S. 1135; 978 
 DcBgles/orde, C. D. 643 ; D. Eilesford (the D. scribe, 
 or copyist, has evidently omitted the 2?); 1275 Dayles- 
 ford, S. R. A. S. p. n. Dcegl (Dayl)— Dsegl'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 Dic/ord, C. D. 804; D. Die/or d. A. S. die ford— iht 
 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. ; 13 c. Dodenhull. The n points to the 
 gen. of the A. S. p. n. Dodda—DodAiLS hill (M. E. hull). V. 
 Dodenham. 
 
 Sodderhill, 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 Cuseuta, Spergula arvensis, Polygonum eonvolvulus, 
 &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 5 1 
 
 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. 
 
 Bodderhill, in Hanbury. No early forms. V. Dodderhill, 
 ante. 
 
 Doddingtree Hundred. D. Dodintrei, 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 
 Dudekam, 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 dim, 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. dwfr, dwr, 
 water — water dale. V. Doverdale. 
 
 K 2 
 
52 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Dormston, 7J 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. 1135J 964 
 Dome, C. S. 1134 ; 1275 Borne, 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, 
 Dourdceks, C. S. 116; 817 Doferdcel, 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. dw/r, I. and G. dobhar {bh = v). Cor. do/er — 
 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. Do/er), 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 CBt Dracan hlawen — at the Dragon's 
 low (». 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 
 
DORMSTON — DROITWICH 53 
 
 events in the 6th), Beowulf goes to the earth-cave to seek 
 the Dragon, also termed the ' Serpent ' (wyrm), and ' Fire- 
 Drake ' {^r 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 = sK), a demon, 
 evil spirit). 
 
 Drakes Broughton, v. Broughton. 
 
 Draycot, h., in Blockley. 1275 Drqycote, 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 drcBg- 
 {g =y)- Now drcBge 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)drcBg, 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 
 ion and cot. 
 
 Draycot, h., in Kempsey, and on Severn, 1253 Dray- 
 cote. V. Draycot, anfe, 
 
 Drayton, h., in and 2 m. NE. of Chaddesley Corbett. 
 1275 Drayton, S. R. V, Draycot. 
 
 Drinkers End, h., in Eldersfield (ij 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 emptor is salis quern nos Saliwich 
 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 SealiwiCjCD. 1313; D. fFzfy^, twenty-four 
 times, once Wiche, once Wtc; 12 c. Wich; 1347 le Dryght- 
 wych; 1469 Deriwyche. 'Wich,' as here used, is quite 
 another word to A. S. wic, wice {v. Wich), a dwelling, 
 village, &c., and belongs to some other language, meaning 
 a brine-spring. All salt-towns appear to end in wich ; 
 l^aniiv/c/i, Middlewtck, NoiihwicA, in Cheshire, and Shirley- 
 zm'c/i 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 Droii, Nash says it was not used till af/er 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 
 0. F. word applied, in finance, to ' a tax or custom duty ' 
 (Diet. Hist, of O. F. j. 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. Buddelie ; 
 1275 Duddkye, 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 dujces 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 DumUeton, 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, 
 Dumelian, Dumoltan, Dumbeltun, and Dumeltun ; and in D. 
 as Duhintone and Dunbenione. But even these forms give 
 little assistance, being too corrupt to identify. {'Perhaps 
 Domwulfes-tun, Domwulf's town ; the would give mod. 
 English «, w would drop before u, and y be lost between 
 / and J.' Skeat.) 
 
 Sunclent^ 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 
 (». 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.' 
 
 Dtmhampstead, h., in Himbleton, 2J m. SE. of Droit- 
 wich. 814 Dunhamsiyde, 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 
 Dunhampione, 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. Dur an (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. 11 c. Eardulfstune, C. D. 
 952 \ 957 Eardufesiun, C. S. 1007 ; D. Ardolvestone. 
 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 Esighop' , 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. 
 
 Eaaington Hall, in Long don. 1327 Estynton, S. R. 
 (At this time five families appear to have lived here.) 1 8 c. 
 Estingion, Nash, ii. 107. The forms are late, but show the 
 
DUNHAMPTON — EI 57 
 
 modern form to be corrupt. An A. S. Eastinga-iun — the town 
 of the sons of Easton — appears the most likely interpretation. 
 
 Easttaury, h., in Hallow, 2 m. NW. of Worcester. 1 1 c. 
 EaresbyrigJ^tvD..ie^*i; T). Ereslyrie; I2 75^j3«r)'(3), S.R.; 
 1347 Esehury; 18 c. Esibury. 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; 11 c. 
 Eastham, Hem. 251; 1275 Estham, S. R. A. S. east, est, 
 and ham — East home (or village) (». Ham). 
 
 Eckington, 3I m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Eccyncgtune, 
 C. S. 1281; T). Atch'ntune; i^c.Ekington, 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. Edevent; 
 1327 Yedefen, S. R. ; 18 c. Fed/en, Yedefen Loges. The 'de 
 Loges' family held the manor in the 13 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. fem. p. n. Eadgifu, which D. 
 always records as Edeva or Eddeva; the D. v certainly 
 represents an A. S.yi A pi. name composed of a p. n. only 
 (i. e. without a suffix) is, however, excessively rare. 
 
 EgdoD, h., in Stoulton. A probable original form would 
 be Ecgan-dun, Ecga's hill ; ». Don. The tendency is always 
 to brevity. Bescot, in Staff's., 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. Egioke, 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, Bie, v. Ey. 
 
58 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Elbury Hill, ij m. NE. of Worcester, in Claines (old 
 fort). 16 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 burh (&. 
 Bury). 
 
 Bldersfleld, *\\ m. SW. of Upton-on-Severn. 972 Yldres 
 
 felde, C. S. 1282; D. Edres/elle; 1275 Eldresfelde, S. R. 
 
 A. S.yldre, elder — Elder's field (w. Field). 'Elders' is here 
 
 used in the sense of ' elders of some ancient community,' 
 
 It was not an A. S. p. n. 
 
 Elmlbridge, h., 3I m. N. of Droitwich. D. Elmerige ; 
 13 c. Elmrugge, Elmbrugge; 1275 Elmbrugge, Elmertgge, 
 S. R. ; 1327 Elmbru^, S. R. The original form would 
 be Elmehricg, 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 Elmlah, 
 Elmlea, C. D. 1042 ; 780 Elmlege, C. S. 235 ; 1275 Elmekye, 
 S. R. ; 1327 Cask! Elmeleye, S. R. — ' the Elm lea ' (». 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, CD. 764; D. ySlmleia; 1327 
 Elmele Lovel — '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 stow, 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 (». Bernes ende, C. S. 356, 
 a. 816). 
 
 Evenlode, 3 m. NE. of Stow-on-the-Wold. 772 Euulange- 
 lade, C. S. 209; 772 Eulangelade, C. S. 210; Eunlangelada, 
 Eowlangelad, C. S. 297; 777 Eunlade, C. S. 222; 969 
 Eowlangelade,Eowlangelade,Q,.'S>.-L2'^%; D. Eunilade; 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 t\yo 
 steins Eowlan (gen. of Eoweld) and gelade, later lade, a ford 
 or ferry — Eowela's ford. V. Evenlode River. 
 
 Evenlode River, tributary of the Thames. The ancient 
 name was Bladaen, Bladene, BlcEdene, 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 j 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 
 
6o 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, (f) 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, ug, 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. le. 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. ig, 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 ' (». 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., Fairfield Court (moated), in Bellbroughton 
 (2 m. E. of). 816 Forfeld, C. S. 360; 1275 Forfelde, S. R. 
 A. 'S>.for, fore (in front of)— Fore field \y. Ton). Many 
 
EY — FELL MILL FARM 6l 
 
 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 i^or^gate in Shrews- 
 bury. 
 
 Farley Farm, Great Farley Wood, Little Farley 
 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 ' (j;. Ley, and Grange). 
 
 Fastochesfelde, an unrecognized D. berewick (outlying 
 farm) of the manor of Kidderminster. Fastoch may represent 
 the unrecorded masc. p. n. Fasiuc, gen. Fastuces, formed by 
 means of the diminutive or pet suflSx -uc, from Fast-, 
 a recorded name-forming stem, familiar in Fastolf (whence 
 Falstaff), earlier FcBstwulf; felde = field (q. v.). 
 
 Feckenham, 7 m. SE. of Droitwich. 804 Feccanhom, C. S. 
 313; (j^T Feccanham,C.S.\oo6;'D.Fecheham; 12'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. oi 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. 
 
 repston, h., in Himbleton. 956 Fepseinatune, C. S. 937 ; 
 T). Fepsetenatun; 1108 Fepsintune; 1275 Fepsinione, S. R. 
 Commonly spelt ' Phepson,' but ph was not used in O. E. 
 The setena may be rejected ; it represents the gen. pi. of 
 scEtan, settlers, from silian, 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. 
 
 Perdstraete. Up to cynges ferdstrmte {fyrdslrcBte) (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. 
 
 FernliiU Heath, h., 4 m. NE. of Worcester. 1275 Fern- 
 hull (3), S. R. A common name, doubtless from the growth 
 of fern in the locality. A. S. /earn, and hyl, M. E. hull. 
 
 Field, Feld, Pelt, 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. 
 
 Pinstall, h., in Bromsgrove. 14 c. Fynchale. 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. fine (c = ch) ; the terminal may be construed 
 ' meadows.' 
 
 riadbury, 3 m. E. of Pershore. 691 Fledanhurg, C. S. 
 
FEPSTON — FOCKBURY 63 
 
 76 ; 714 Fladeluri, C. S. 131 ; 778 Fladanlyrg, C. S. 238; 
 780 Fledanburk, C. S. 235 ; 821 Fkdanburh, Fledanbyrig, 
 C. S. 368; D. Fkdebirie; 1108 Fledebyr^. {' Fledan repre- 
 sents the gen. of a masc. weak form Fl&da, pet form of the 
 p. n. Flad-beorht, the only recorded name beginning with 
 Flad-.' 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. 
 
 riavell Plyford, 6\ m. NE. of Pershore. 930 Fh/erik, 
 C. D. 346; 972 FlcBferth, CD. 570; 1002 FUferht, CD. 
 1295; not in D. ; 12 c. Flavel; 13 c. Flavell; 14 c. 
 Flavell, Flavel, Fief or d, Fleyford; 15 c. Flauell (« = »); 
 16 c. Flyford, Fleford, Flyford Flavell {thxte times); 17 c. 
 Fleforth, Fliford, 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 Flad- (». Fladbury), 
 and the terminals may represent A. S.ford (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.' 
 
 T'oreign, v. Borough. 
 
 Forhill, h., Forhill Ash, and Porhill 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 iioo 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 1^73, 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. 
 
 Pox Hollies, f., in Yardley. 1275 Adam atte Holies ; 
 1327 Rich^ de Holies, S. R. Holies is a M. E. pi. form of 
 ' holly.' ' Fox ' seems to be a modern addition.. 
 
 Fox Lydiate, h., 2 m. W. of Redditch. 1300 'and thence 
 to Fox huntley yates, 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. fresne, ash- 
 tree. The D. scribe (probably a Norman) apparently knew 
 what he was writing, for -esse is the D. representative of 
 A. S. (Bsce, 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. Frankle, 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. ^.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 (». Ley). 
 
66 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Frisland, h., i m. E. of Tibberton; Frieze Wood, in 
 
 Madresfield. Fris-, Frieze represent y^rz?. 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. Y.. 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 
 (jiaie, road), Frogwell, Frogpool, Frognall, Frogham, Frog- 
 more, are common names. It is beyond doubt that A. S. 
 
 frogga, 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 (». 
 Froxmore). 
 
 Froxmore Court, Froxmore Farm, in Crowle. 1273 
 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. 
 
 Gannow 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 
 
FRISLAND — GLYNCH BROOK 67 
 
 estate called 'Gannowe' in Holme Lacy, Herefordsh., and 
 there is a ' Gannow ' 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. At Jenners was living there in 1603 (S. R.). Gynur 
 is an aphetic form of M. E. engynour — engineer, i. e. one whd 
 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, hes on 
 the boundary of the counties of Worcester and Warwick. 
 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. 
 Hdmtun, home town, seems to have been added to the 
 name after the Conquest. 
 
 Gleden, brook, in Warndon. 978 Gladen, C. D. 618. 
 A. S. glcBdene 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. 
 
 F 2 
 
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), Goldieote (Upper), in Alder- 
 minster. 1275 Caldicote, S. R. = Cold cot (A. S. est 
 Caldan cote). Initial G and C frequently interchange (f. 
 Calcott). 
 
 Goosehill 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 Plyford, 7 m. E. of Worcester. 884 Graftune, 
 C. S. 552; 972 Graftune, C. S. 1281; D. Garstone (an 
 evident mistake); 1275 Graf tone, S. R. ; 14 c. Grafton sub 
 Flavell V. Grafton Manor, and Flavell Flyford. 
 
 Grafton Manor, 2 ra. SW. of Bromsgrove. D. Grastone; 
 1275 Grafton, S. R. The j 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. graftun (y. 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 Parley, v. Farley. 
 
 Greet, h.. Greet Hill, Greet Common, in Yardley, all 
 adjacent and on a stream. 1275 Grele, Grethurst, S. R. ; 
 1332 Grelehurste; 1340 Grete. 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 HiU, i\ m. NE. of Withall; Grimes HiU, in 
 Kingsnorton (1275 Grimesput {^\t), 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) 964 GrimanlcBge, 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 Grymesputt, 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. Gumheorn {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 cBwylme, Gytinc, Gytinges, C. S. 
 1299, Hem. 348. A. S. gyte, 'a pouring out, flood,' 
 geotan, to pour out, flood, are probably the root; cswylme, 
 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. 11 c. Headdes o/re, 
 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. Hageleia; 12 c. 
 Hageleg ; 13 c. Haggaley, Haggeley. Hag is an O. N. word 
 meaning an enclosure, a wooded enclosure ; v. H. E. D. j. 
 Hag, sb?' This may be read ' the wooded enclosure on or 
 near the lea' (». Ley). There seems to have been some 
 Norse settlement or influence in this locality ; ». 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 7I 
 
 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. healt, 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-Toller 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 coristrues 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 healh 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 Ts, both essential.' 
 
 Halesowen. D. Halas; later Hales; 1276 Hales- 
 Owayn; J 2 86 Halesowen; 1340 Hales-Oweyn ; later Hales, 
 
72 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 and Halesowen. Hale or Hales is a pi. form of A. S. heal^, 
 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. 
 IcBsu), only another word for low-lying meadow land. The 
 terminal -owen was attached in consequence of the marriage, 
 in 1 1 74, of Emma, sister of Henry H, 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. mo 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 816 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, 3). 
 
 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, sb} 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., 1^ m. N. of Feckenham. 1332 Home, 
 S. R. Ham is here used in the sense of riverside meadow 
 land (». Ham, b). This place is on a substantial stream. 
 
 Hampstall Perry, in Hartlebury. Hamp.r/^a(/is a common 
 name, but Hamj/a// comparatively rare; cp. Hamstall Rid- 
 ware. Staffs., and Hamstalls, on Severn, 2 m. SE. of Newnham. 
 A. S. ham, home ; sleall, 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 at 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 Hamlun, C. S. 360, 361 ; 
 D. Hamtune. This is a plain case of an original Hdmtun 
 = home town (j). Ham, and Ton). The/ 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 hamion had come to mean a farm- 
 stead, for the places named above could have been only 
 farms. 
 
 Hanbuiry, 4 m. E. of Droitwich. 691 Heanburg, C. S. 
 75; 757 Heanburh, Hanbiri, C. S. 220; 796 Heanbyrig, 
 C. S. 272; 831 Heanbyrig (g=y), C. S. 416 : this charter 
 refers to a monastery here; D. Hambyrie; 1275 Hambury, 
 S. R. Plainly High Burh (;v. Bury), A. S. czt 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 G-rove, 
 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 121 2, and the Courts for the 
 Forest of Malvern were also regularly held at Hanley. It 
 is A. S. cBt Hean leage (dat.) {g =y) — High lea iy. Ley). 
 
 Hanley William or Upper Hanley, Hanley Child or 
 Wether Hanley, 5 m. SE. of Tenbury. %\i 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 1 2 7 5; '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 {». 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. Hdr-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'; w. Hardwick, /oj'/, 
 
 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 YioXAi, Herdewyk, Hab. 208. 
 A. S. Hierdanwic, M. E. Herdewyh, 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 Harpeleye, S. R. The forms are late, and, being M. E., 
 it is difficult to decide on the exact earlier forms, but the root 
 
HARBERROW—HARVINGTON 
 
 77 
 
 is clearly in A. S. hearpe, 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 Harpiree (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 (». Hoarstone). This h. lies on the 
 boundary between Worcester and Hereford shires. 
 
 Kartell or Hartle, h., in Bellbroughton {\ m. E. of). 
 13 c. Herthulle, 1275 Herthulh, S. R. A. S. Heort-hyll, 
 M. E. Her/hulk, ' the hill of the hart ' (male red deer). 
 
 Hartlebury, 4 m. S. of Kidderminster. 817 Heortla- 
 hyrig, C. S. 360, 361; gSo Beor/laiyrig, C. D. 627; 985 
 Heortlanlyrig, C. D. 653; D. Huertberie ; 12 c. Hertkbery; 
 13 c. Hertleburi. The terminal is clearly A. S. burh (dat. 
 iy^ig), an enclosed or fortified place (». 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., Heorila (gen. Heortlan), 
 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 loroilaford {= 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 Ifere- 
 win/on, S. R.; 1340 Herwynion ; 14 c. Herwyntone, fre- 
 quently. Probably A. S. p. n. Herewine, Herewine's town. 
 V. Ton, and Harvington, post. 
 
 HarTington, 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. irio; 
 T). Herferthun; X2>]fy Herforione. A. S. Here-ford-tiin, the 
 town of the ford of the army (w. 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. hasel 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 hceseld/re, 
 M. E. kaseloure, haselovere, the hazel bank. 
 
 Hatfield, h., in Norton by Kempsey (i m. S. of). 1275 
 Hath/eld, S. R. A. S. hcBth/eld—heaXh field (». Field). 
 A medial th commonly becomes /. We have numerous 
 Hatfields, and all I have traced have a similar root. ' Hatton' 
 (A. S. halhtun) 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 
 Farm (moated), in Kingsnorton (i J m.SW. of). 1275 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. ha/oc, 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. kagan 
 (dat. of hagd), 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. Aege 
 becomes Aeye, heie, hate, 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. j. Hay, sb} 
 
 Hazledene Grove, in Redmarley. 1356 Haselden. A. S. 
 hasel, the hazel, and denu, vale— the hazel vale. 
 
8o WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Hazlewell Hall, ancient estate in Kingsnorton (2 m. NE. 
 of). 16 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 ^f Hedleye were certainly settled in the locality. In 1275 
 William de Hedley was assessed to the Subsid)', 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. BE. of). 849 
 Hathlege, 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 ^ or / in 
 ]\I. 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 Heiheghe, S. R. ; 16 c. Hethey (mill), belonged 
 to Bordesley Abbey. A. S. hmth, 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. Heighton 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 myihan ; 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 riih (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 (y. Hen Brook). 
 
 Henwiek, h., 2 m. NW. of Worcester. The modern 
 form probably represents an A. S. at Hean-wic, high village 
 {y. Wich). 
 
 Hewell Grange, in Tardebigg, belonged to Bordesley 
 Abbey. 1300 Hewelle Grange. (The H is intrusive; it 
 should be Ewell, from A. S. a-wylm, S-wielle, a water-spring. 
 Skeat.) An intrusive H is common. Ewell, in Surrey, 
 appears in charters as jEwelle, and has this meaning. 
 V. Grange. 
 
 Hidley (Broad), Hidley (Little), in Halesowen. 13 11 
 
 G 
 
82 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 and 1 317 Hyddelege; 15 c. Hiddeley. Probably A. S. p. n. 
 Hidda — Hidda's lea (». 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, hulle, 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). 
 
 Hillhamptou, h., in Hartley, 4^ m. SSW. of Stourport. 
 D. Hilhamatone ; 1275 Hulhamtone, S. R.^Hill-home-town 
 (». Hill, Ham, and Ton). 
 
 Himbleton, 4 m. SE. of Droitwich. 816 Hymeltun, C. S. 
 816; 884 Hymellun, C. S. 552; 972 Hymeltune, C. D. 259; 
 991 HymeUune, 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 15 th century. 
 
 Hindlip, 3^ m. SW. of Droitwich. 966 Hinde hlep \ 
 lie. Hindelepe; D. Hindelep. A. S. Amd, 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. hok, 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), Martin^o^, Moiihoe, 
 AynAo, Ivinghoe, &c. 
 
 Hoarstone. A. S. Mr (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 15th 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., i\ ra. NE. of Bewdley. 1275 
 Richard 0' 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 
 i?<?3^-Robin Goodfellow, or Puck, and alludes to former 
 universal beliefs : 
 
 ' 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 Leneh, v. Lench (Abbots). 
 
 Hockley, Hooker, Hoekerill, 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) Hved here 
 in the early part of the i6th c, and probably before then. 
 I cannot tell the meaning. 
 
 Hodge, v. Hob. Hoe, v. Ho. 
 
 Holbeach rarm, in Kidderminster. A. S. hoi, and beech, 
 the hollow (deep) valley {v. Bach). 
 
 Holborough Green, Holborough Green Farm 
 (moated), i^ 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 CEt Holenfesien, C. S. 1204; 967 CEt Holenfesten, at 
 HolanfcEstene, C. S. 1205; D. Holefest; 1275 Holefeld, S. R. 
 (the_/^/(/ is probably a clerical mistake); 1327 Hole/ask. 
 The prefix is A. S. holen, holegn, holly, the terminal fcEsten, 
 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. j. Hole). 
 
 Hollies (The), in Yardley. 1 275 Adam aite Holies, S. R., 
 must have been a great man, as he is assessed at 8j. 8if. ; 
 Richard de Holies is assessed in the S. R. of 1327 at 2s. id. 
 Holies = hollies. 
 
 HoUin (Upper and Lower), in Pensax, 6 m. SW. of 
 Bewdley. I think this must be the unrecognized D. manor 
 of ZTo/zOT, in Doddingtree Hundred. 1332 ^o/v'^j S. R. ; 1603 
 Hollin, S. R. A. S. Aolen, holegn, M. E. hollin—\.\\e: Holly 
 (tree). 
 
 Holling (Lower and Upper), farms, in Hartley. 1275 
 Alfred de Holin, S. R. ; 1327 Gilbert Holyn, S. R. ; 1332 
 Holynne, S. R. — The Holly (tree) ; v. Hollin, ante. 
 
 Holltngs Hill, f., in Mathon. John Holyn is assessed to 
 the 1275 S. R. s. Mathon.— The Holly (tree); v. Hollin, 
 ante. 
 
 HoUoway, 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 cbI holan wege, where holan is the weak 
 dat. sing, of holh, 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, i^ m. SW. of Dudley. 1275 Stephan atle 
 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. NW. 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. Jleot, 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. 
 
 HomehoTise 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 hurne, C. S. 428, on bounds of Crowle ; 866 Hunig 
 hroc, C. S. 513, in Wolverley. A. S. hunig hum. Honey 
 brook {y. Himbleton, and Honeybourne, /m/). 
 
 Honeybourne (Church), 5 m. E. of Evesham. 709 
 Hunihurne, 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. hdc), 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, hopig {g=j/), 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 aite Hope. 
 A. S. hdp, M. E. hope, a valley (o. Hope). 
 
 Hopwood, h., in and 2 m. N. of Alvechurch. 848 Hop- 
 wuda, C. S. 455 ; 934 Hopwuda, C. S. 701 ; 1 275 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 15th 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.) (i^. also Ley). 
 
 Horsham, h., in Hartley. 12'] 5 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 ' (w. 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{h)lun, 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' (z). 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. 14 15 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 ei. Owlet, 
 and Howlet Hall, are common names for old homesteads. 
 
 Howsell Upper, Howsell Lower, in Leigh. Nash, ii. 
 Sup. 73, 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, ^\ 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 Honyngion, Lyt. Ch. 
 Probably A. S. p. n. Huna, yielding a gen. est Hunantune. 
 Huna's town (». Ton). 
 
 Hunt End, h., in Feckenham. 1275 William h Honie, 
 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. 
 1 3 and 14 c. Hountingthrope, S. R. ; Huntingdrope, Huntyn- 
 drop (medial d represents tti). 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, 138 1 'in the field called Huntyngire' Lyt. 
 Ch. ; later charters Huntyngtre, and Huniyngtree field. 
 Hunting-tree. — There is no history of this name, that I am 
 aware of. 
 
 Hurcot, h., 3 m. from Kidderminster. D. Worcoie 
 (berewick of Kidderminster) ; 1 2 c. Hurchote, Hurcote ; 1275 
 Horecoie; 16 c. Hurdcoie. The forms are rather con- 
 fusing ; the original was probably A. S. CEt 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, ». Martin Hussingtree. 
 
go 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. 
 
 Iclaiield 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 
 12 and 13 c. charters, 'the royal way called Ikenhilde strete' 
 ' the King's street which is called Fkenild,' ' 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; 13 16, 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-strcete. 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 
 
HWICCII — 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. ^27(/ 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 
 Hilleleye; 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 ml 
 Illanley; Monks Eleigh in Suffolk was Illeyge in 958, 
 Illanlege in 972, and Illege 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. Yllan)— 
 Vila's lea (». 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. Imman), and ig, M. E. ege, eye, ey, Imma's island. 
 The old meaning of island included 'watery land.' The / 
 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 itin {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-ToUer, 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. Abbandun); Huntingdon (A. S. Huntandun) ; 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. Inleberge; 
 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. i']?,^ Ink/ord. /«/^- 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-smtan, in-dwellers, inhabitants, settlers. The terminals in 
 Viorsei, Somerj*/, have the same root, smta. Cp. Woodse^/on, 
 in Sedgley, Staffs. 
 
 Ipsley, I m. S. of Redditch. 963 y^ps leage, C. S. mi ; 
 
 D. Epeslei. This is A. S. CBps, CEspe, 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 Esigburn, 
 C. D. 1368; 777 Esegburn, CD. 131 ; 988 Eseburne, CD. 
 662; 1003 Esingburn, C D. 1295. The prefix is clearly 
 the A. S. p. n. spelt, at various times, Estg, Ese, Esi^ Esig's 
 {g^y) burn, brook. 
 
 Ismere House, 3^ m. NE. of Kidderminster. By a Latin 
 charter of 736 yEthelbalt, 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 Slur {Stour), ten hides of land, having to the north 
 
INKBERROW — ISMERE 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 Oifa, 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 11 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. Wisa) ; cp. 
 Wisbeach, on the Nene, anciently called the Ouse.' (Skeat.) 
 
94 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Kedges (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. 
 
 Eelmesham, h., in Bredon (on O. M. Kingsham). 14 c. 
 Kelmesham, Ktlmesham. Kelm probably represents the 
 A. S. p. n. Cynehelm, later Kenelm — 'Cynehelm's village.' 
 V. Ham. 
 
 Kemerton, 5 m. NE. of Tewkesbury. 840 Cyneburgincg- 
 iun, C. S. 430. A. S. fern. p. n. Cynehurh — ' the town of the 
 sons of Cyneburh.' V. Ing and Ton. 
 
 Kempsey, 4 m. S. of Worcester. 799 Kemesei, C. S. 
 293; g*j^ Cymest'ge, CD. 612; T). Chemesige ; n^i^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 
 1.^ z. Kelmesiowe, Kelmysstowe; 1^2*1 KelmestowejS.B.. 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 
 
KKDGES — 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. fem. p. n. Cynehild, and 
 weorth, 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, i,\ m. NW. of Worcester. D. Checinwiche ; 
 12 c. Checkingwic ; 13 and 14 c. Kekingwik, Kekyngewyke, 
 Kekeswyck. The prefix, I think, represents the A. S. p. n. 
 Cygi"gi a-nd the original form would be Cygingeswic — 
 Cyging's village (». 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 Crtddesho, 
 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 (o. 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. Kidemmsire ; 
 13 c. Kydelminsier, Kyderminstre, Kydermunsire. D. is the 
 first recoid we have of Kidderminster, though A. S. charters 
 relating to adjacent manors are numerous. The terminal is 
 plainly A. S. mynster, M. E. munster, 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. 
 1 134; 1272 Keningeford, S. R. ; 1300 Kynges/ord, 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 = inga {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. Noriune 
 (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 
 
KIDDERMINSTER — 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 Kynim. I think an 
 A. S. form would give us Cyne-tun, royal town (f. Ton), 
 from its having been the residence of some early king. 
 
 Kinnersley, in Severn-Stoke (i m. E. of). Cp. Kinnersley 
 in W. Herefordshire, Kinnersley in Salop. These places 
 supply the forms which are here lacking, and yield Cyne- 
 keardesleage, Cyneheard's lea (». Ley). 
 
 KitwellParm, Kitwell House, Kits "Well, in Northfield. 
 Peter ^//« 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; Pidlers Knap in Elmley Castle; Colliers 
 Knap in Broadway; Dornap in Broadway. A. S. cncBp, 
 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 (ij m. E. of); a common 
 name, generally found in A. S. in its dat. form est 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 
 Cnihtatune, C. S. 1007; 11 c. Cnihiatun, C. D. 952; D. 
 Cnisteioun; 1108 Cnihtetun; 'the servants' town' {v. 
 Knighton, ante). A. S. cniht is our mod. ' knight,' but the 
 
98 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 meaning has varied. The ht in Cmhi was novel to the 
 Norman scribes of D., and they commonly wrote it st; 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 Cnihtmic, 
 CD. 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. 
 
 Enowle, or Cnoll, in Alvechurch. 1275 de la Cnolle, 
 S. R. A. S. cnoll, M. E. knowl, knoll, a small round-topped 
 hill ; a common name for hamlets and manors. 
 
 Eyre Wyre, 4 m. SE. of Tenbury. D. Cuer, Chuer ; 
 1108 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. ceI langan leage, long 
 lea (w. Ley). Here the A. S. form has maintained itself, as 
 it often does with this very common name. 
 
 Iiappal, h., in Halesowen. 1335, 1347 Lappole; 1342 
 Thomas atle Pole; 1347 Thomas de Lappole, Nicholas atte 
 Pole; 1 38 1 William a/ PiPo/; i/^^^ 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. LiiTord and Pull Court. A 
 curious instance of the effect of a Norman la upon a pi. name 
 
KNIGHTSFORD BRIDGE — LECHMERE 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 
 heorh (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; o»2i?r=hammer=yellowhammer. 
 
 Iiaughern, or Iiawern, h., Iiawern 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 i^ v=u). 
 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. 
 
 Iieaden, 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 /a Leye, { th' lee, in the lee, S. R. A. S. 
 leah, pasture (». 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 (w. 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 Leckemere, 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' i. e. of the swamp, are common 
 names in 13 c. records. 
 
 liOigli, 4I m. W. of Worcester. D. Lege {g=y); 12 c. 
 Lega ; 1275 Leya, S. R. A. S. hah, 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, Linoh, Lynch, Link, are frequent elements in 
 pi. names. The root is A. S. Mine, thus described by 
 Seebohm (Village Communities, 5) ; ' A . . . peculiar feature of 
 
LEIGH — LENCH lOI 
 
 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 Hablelenche, Lench Sacriste, S. R. This 
 
I02 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. 
 
 Lencli (Atoll), h., in Church Lench. D. Achelenz; 13 c. 
 Acheknch. Professor Skeat is of opinion that the D. -ache 
 heie represents an A. S. hcBcce (dat. of hac), 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 
 oiVic\A-Hakh! Merry Wives, ii. 2. V. Skeat's Place-Names of 
 Herts, s. Stevena^^, where the terminal represents an original 
 hcBcce {cez=ch). 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. 
 
 Iiencb. (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 (Rouse), 5 m. N. of Fladbury. D. Biscopedeng ; 
 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 (Sheri£fs), h., in Church Lench. D. Lenche; 
 \2*i^ Shirr evelench; i'^ c. Shyrrevelench ; i ■^■^2 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, ». 
 Lench, ante. 
 
 Lenchwick, h., in Norton, 2 J m. N. of Evesham. 709 
 Lenchwic, C. S. 125; 714 Lencuuicke, C. S. 130; D. Lench- 
 
LENCH — LICKEY HILLS 103 
 
 wtc; 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, 
 ihat up on ikone hyll be hionan lippard (then up on the hill 
 on this side of Hpperd); 972 ondlong geardes ihcet in Upper des 
 gemcBre (along the ' yard ' (I do not know in what sense this 
 word is used) thence to the boundary of lipperd), C. D. 681 ; 
 1275 Lippard, S. R. ; 16 c. Lypperde. It is not 'leopard'; 
 that is an O. F. word, not used here till the 14c., 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 ig=y'), M. E. ley, leye, 
 lay, le, open untilled 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 (». Bury) of refuge; but Hleoburh (gen. 
 burge, dat. byri) was a fem. p. n. (only once recorded) and 
 may be the root here. It is however unlikely, as a p. n. 
 nearly always carries a suflSx, like -ton, -ham, -wick, &c. 
 
 Lickey Hills (The), near Bromsgrove. 1330 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. 
 
 Iiickhill, ancient estate, i m. W. of Stourport. 1696 
 Liekill; \']i)i) 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. liih, lyth, a slope, hill- 
 side ; a final th commonly becomes / ; v. Hanger, Cp. 
 Lyth, post. 
 
 Liucb, V. Lench. 
 
 Liuoomb, h., in Hartlebury (2 pi. SW. of Stourport). 
 706 Lincumbe, C. S. 116; 15 c. Lynkeombe. A. S. Hit eumb, 
 the flax valley. 
 
 Linden, 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. 
 
 Linden, Upper and Lower, in Rock. 1275 Lindene, 
 
LICKHILL — LONG EYE 105 
 
 S. R. A. S. lind, the lime (or linden) tree, and denu, 
 valley. 
 
 Iiindridge, 7 m. E. of Tenbury. D. Linde; 1275 Linde- 
 rugge, S. R. A. S. Lind, the lime-tree, and hrycg, M. E. 
 ''^gg^ — the lime-tree ridge. 
 
 Lineholt, h., Lineholt Com.mon, 2 m. S. of Hartlebury. 
 14 c. '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 hne-grove which weather-fends your cell.' 
 
 Ijinthiirst, h., in Bromsgrove. A. S. lindhyrst — the lime- 
 tree wood. Cp. Lyndhurst, in Hampshire. 
 
 Iiint Mill, in Bromsgrove. A lint-mill is a flax-mill, 
 flax and lint being related. 
 
 Iiittleton (Worth), Littleton (Middle), Littleton 
 (South), 4 m. NE. of Evesham. 709 Littletone, C. S. 125 ; 
 714 Lytletun el alia Litletun, 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 (w. Ton) — Little town. 
 
 Littleworth, h., in Norton-by-Kempsey. Little farm 
 (». Worth). 
 
 Loggerheads, f. in Hanbury. Loggerheads is a Midland 
 name for the Knapweed (Centaurea wz^ra), which flourishes on 
 wet land. Much of it has disappeared under modern drainage. 
 
 Longdon, 2J 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-dim, long hill (w. 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 Bye, h., in Bromsgrove. 972 Longaneye (dat.), 
 C. D. 570; 1275 Langleye, S. R. The early form yields 
 
I06 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. 
 fem. p. n. Lu/u (whence surname Love), late gen. Lufan. 
 An A. S. Lufantun would produce a mod. Lovington — Lufu's 
 town (z). 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. lawe, 
 lowe, a mound, hillock ; but, in pi. names, may always be 
 read ' burial-mound,' ' barrow.' 
 
 Lowe (The), f., in Wolverley. 1275 (f^ la Lowe (2), atte 
 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. : Wenfoc^, Yorlock, Lockinge, LocAton. 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 
 
 IiUde, 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. atle 
 Lude, under Abbots Morton, de Ludelon, under Aldington, 
 de Ludeshury, 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 (zi. 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 0/ Lutteleye, Lyt. Ch. The prefix is plainly 
 Lude (q. V.) (f. also Ley). 
 
 Lydiate, h., in Bellbroughton {\ m. S. of), a common 
 name. A. S. hlidgeat {g=y), M. E. Iterate, 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. 130. Nojiemonnes Lydegate, 
 Lyt. Ch.; 1432 lying between . .. 6{ 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.) (untilled 
 
Io8 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 land, pasture). In the Lyt. Ch. 13, 14, and 15 c. the name 
 appears as Lye, Lyegk, Lyghe, Lee, Leeh. 
 
 Iiyndeworth, in Northfield or Yardley. D. Lindeorde 
 (berewick of Bromsgrove) ; 1275 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 or u. A. S. Lindworth, the farm of the 
 lime-tree. 
 
 Lyth (The), h., in Ombersley. A. S. hlith, a slope, hill- 
 side ; cp. Light-woods, ante. 
 
 Madresfleld, 6 m. SW. of Worcester. 12 c. Meddeffeld; 
 1275 Madresfelde, S. R. ' The forms are scanty, but I think 
 they yield us an A. S. McEth-heres feld — Mffithhere's field. 
 Norman scribes wrote d for a medial th, which they could 
 not pronounce, hence the modern form Mathhere is a 
 recorded p. n.' (Skeat.) 
 
 Malvern (Great), Malvern (Little). D. Malferne; 
 13, 14, and 15 c. ilfa/z)fr««, 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. V. 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 CliflF, h., and Marl Cliff Hill, in Cleeve Prior. 
 
LYNDEWORTH — MENITH WOOD 109 
 
 a. 872, Marnan Clive; later A. S. Maranclive, Mearnanclif, 
 Mernanclive. 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 cltf, marble cliff. 
 
 Martin-Hussingtree, 3 m. SW. of Droitwich. 972 in 
 Mereiune, in Husentreo, C. S. 1282; D. Huseniree; 1275 
 Hosintre and Merion, S. R. Formerly in two manors, united 
 between 972 and the date of D. A. S. mere, a pool, lake — 
 Pool town (z). Ton). Husantreo (dat.), Hussa's tree. The 
 dat. an commonly becomes ing. 
 
 Martley, 8 m. NW. of Worcester. D. Mertelai, Merlie ; 
 1275 Merielee, 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 D. 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. Matma; 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 
 Earm, 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. 
 Mele/ord, Melele, Melley, all Lyt. Ch. Mell, Mele, are M. E. 
 forms of Mill, A. S. mylen — -the Mill lea (p. 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. geai), 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 
 
no 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 (fem.). 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 Earm, 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 AUcia de Middleton 
 are assessed to the 1275 S. R. j. Weley and Selley. The 
 family here clearly took its name from the place, which 
 means Middle town (». Ton). 
 
 Milestone. There is a curious entry in C. S. 219, a. 757, 
 which refers to Wic (probably Powick), 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 ill 
 
 Hereford. I do not think that a milestone is recorded in 
 any other A. S. charter. 
 
 Mitten, now commonly called Stourport. 841 Myttun, 
 C. S. 433; D. Metiune; 1275 Mutton, S. R. ; 1327 Mutton, 
 S. R. A. S. {ge)mylhan, 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 
 Mition, 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, Mi'tune, 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. 
 
 Moneyhall, 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. hult), 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 (i793~i8i5) 
 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. mor, a moor, swamp. 
 
 Moor End Farm, Moor End Cross, in Mathon. 1275 
 
112 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Philipp de la Morend, William de la More, S. R. (w. 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 J 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. vior (moor), 
 M. E. mor, more, moore. The word is usually applied to 
 waste, swampy land ; but sometimes to high, waste ground, 
 un timbered. 
 
 Morton Folliot, ». Castle Morton. 
 
 Morton Underliill, h., in Inkberrow (i J m. N. of). 990 
 Mor tune, C. D. 674; 1275 Mortone, S. R. ; 1326 Morton 
 Underhull. A. S. Mortim, 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 bere wicks 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 II3 
 
 Moseley, h., in Hallow, 3 m. NW. of Worcester. 816 
 Mosekage in Subbingwic, C. S. 357; 851 Modeage, C. S. 
 462; 961 Modeage, C. S. 1139. A. S. modeage, a mossy 
 or marshy lea (w. Ley). 
 
 Moundesley Hall, i m. SE. of Kingsnorton. Mundes 
 dene (Mund's valley) is meniioned 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. 
 
 Mueken Hill, h., 4 m. SE. of Worcester. D. Mucenhill; 
 1273 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-hlcem — 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 (z). 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. j. Hield. Morellynde is a good example 
 of mediaeval corruption. 
 
 NafFord, in Birlingham, 3 m. S. of Pershore. D. Nad/ord, 
 afterwards Nafford. The ford (w. 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. 
 
 Ifapleton, 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. cBl tham=M..Y.. at ten (both meaning 'at the'); then 
 the n is transferred, and we get ' atte Nappelton,' the atie 
 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 atte 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,' 
 ' set Hurst,' ' en le Greve,' or ' atte Wode,' all meaning ' of 
 the wood.' 
 
 Naunton, h., in Ripple (i m. N. of). 1275 Newtnton, 
 S. R. ; 1327 Newynton, S. R. The nom. A. S. form would 
 be Neowa-tiin, new town {p. Ton) ; but the dat. (and most 
 pi. names are moulded on dat. forms) would be cet thaw, 
 Neowan-iune — 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 Newtnton, S. R. ; 
 V. Naunton, ante. 
 
 Naunton Beauchamp, 4 J m. N. of Pershore. 972 in 
 Niwantune, C. S. 1282; D. Newentune; 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. 
 
 Neramings, or Nymings, a wood in Churchill, near 
 Kidderminster. 1^20 Saundres Ne?nyngs, 'LyX.Oi. Nemung 
 (correctly ntmung) 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 locahties, Ridding, Royd, 
 Falling, Breach, Birch, Stubbock, Assart, Newland, &c. 
 V. Nimmings Farm. 
 
 Netherton, h., 2^ m. SW. of Pershore. 780 Neotheretune, 
 C. S. 235; D. Neotheretune. This is nether (lower) town, 
 as compared with some other 'ton' which stood relatively 
 above it, and which might be called Overton (A. S. o/ertun), 
 Over, Upper, town. 
 
 Netlierton, h., in Dudley ; Netherton, h., in Ribbesford ; 
 Ifetherton, h., in Abberley. V. Netherton, ante. 
 
 Wewbold-on-Stour, in Tredington, 4 m. from Shipston- 
 on-Stour. 991 Nioweholdan (dat. pi.), C. D. 676; 12 c. 
 Newebolt; 1275 Newebold, S. R. A. S. Niowe bold, new 
 house. This is a common name ; in the North it appears 
 as 'Nev/bald and Ne'wb/ggin, biggin being the Norse 
 equivalent for hold. 
 
 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. 
 
 Newlands 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' {y. 
 Ham) ; the forms are in the dat. case. 
 
 Nimmings Farm, in Cofton Hacket. V. Nemmings. 
 I 2 
 
U6 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Hoake (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). i^^6 Newborough, Novus burgus] 1^16 Newberry; 
 1690 Newberry. This, according to rule, should be New- 
 bury = New burh {p. Bury). 
 
 Noken 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 (i^ m. S. of). 
 1327 atte Norchard, 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. 
 
 Worgrove, in Feckenham (2 m. N. of). 1379 North- 
 grave, later Northgrave, 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. Nord/eld; .12 
 and 1 3 c. Nort/eld, Nor/eld, Norfeud, North/eld— ]:ioTth. field 
 {v. Field). 
 
 Northingtown, h., in Suckley. 1 2'j ^ Northi'nton ; 1327 
 Northinton, S. R. The original form would be est tham 
 Northan tune, at the North town. Cp. Northington, h., in Holt. 
 
 North Littleton, v. Littleton. 
 
 North Piddle, v. Piddle (North). 
 
NOAKE — NUNNERY WOOD lij 
 
 Northwiek, 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, 2 J m. NW. of Moreton 
 Henmarsh. 964 Northwic, C. S. 1134; 1275 Northwyk, 
 S. R.— North village. V. Wich. 
 
 Northwood, i m. N. of Bewdley. 1275 Norlhwode, 
 S. R. — Northwood (M. E. wode), which meant ' wild land ' — 
 brushwood, moor, or timber. 
 
 Norton, h., in Kempsey (2 m. NE. of). 1275 Norione, 
 S. R. ; 13, 14, and 15 c. Norton. — North town (». Ton). 
 
 Norton, on the Avon, 3 m. N. of Evesham. 709 Norton, 
 C. S. 125; D. Nortune. Sometimes called Abbots Norton, 
 because it belonged to the Abbots of Evesham. — North town 
 (». 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 Northtun, C. D. 670 ; D. Nor- 
 tune. — North town (». 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 iVis transferred, 
 and we must read this as in A. S. Ofertun, M. E. Overton — 
 Upper town (». 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 12th 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 Parm, i m. W. of Abberley. 1327 W. atte 
 N over ton ; C. atte Overton, 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 
 Over/on, earlier Ofirtun, and the meaning Upper town, 
 as opposed to Netherton. In M. E. v between vowels 
 was commonly written u ; hence Nouerion, and finally 
 Nurton. There is a Nurton, h., in Pattingham, Staffordshire, 
 which has precisely the same history. 
 
 Nufhurst, in Bellbroughton. 1275 Notehurst, S. R. 
 A. S. hnul-hurst, M. E. Notehurst — Nut wood. 
 
 Nymings, v. Nemmings. 
 
 Oakhampton, h., in Astley. 12*] ^ Okkamtone,S.K. This 
 is Oak-home-town (M. E. ok, oke — oak). The p is intrusive. 
 
 Ockeridge Wood, Ockeridge Waste, in Little Wiiley. 
 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 patron3mic, giving us ' the 
 lea land of the sons (or descendants) of Odda.' There were 
 several magnates of that name connected with Worcestershire, 
 
NUNNERY WOOD — OFFERTON FARM II9 
 
 but the men who held the plough also wrote their names 
 upon the land. 
 
 OflFas 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 earl}' part of the 19th c. 
 
 Offenham, 2 m. N. of Evesham. 714 Vffaham, C. S, 
 130; 860 Uffenham, C. D. 289; D. Offenham; 1275 Offen- 
 ham; 1327 Offenham, 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 
 Offa, or Uffa,' both being A. S. p. names, or variants of the 
 same name. (' Probably Uffa, written Offe by Normans : they 
 wrote for u, but not u for 0.' Skeat.) The Abbot is said to 
 have had a house here. 
 
 Offerton Farm, in Hindlip, 4 m. NE. of Worcester. 972 
 ^IflcBdeliin, C. D. 570 (then belonged to Pershore Abbey) ; 
 D. Alcrintune ? (Bishop of Worcester) ; 1275 Alfverton, S. R. ; 
 16 c. Alcrinton, now called Alfreton; 18 c. Affreton. 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. yElflad (for ^If-fljed) was a fem. 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 ^Iflsed was 
 also the name of many other women. The intrusive r in 
 Offerton may be accounted for by the similarity oi yElflmd to 
 Alfred, and the later forms favour that suggestion ; but how 
 an A. S. ^IflcEdetun (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 
 
 Oflfmoor Farm, Offmoor Wood, in Halesowen. 1288 
 Offemore; 131 6 Offemor; 1326 Uffemore; 14 15 Offemore 
 grange (belonged to Halesowen Abbey), Lyt. Ch. ; 1549 
 Uffmore. The terminal is ' moor ' (p. 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.' 
 
 Oflfmoor 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 Ullebury, 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 Ealdanbyri, 
 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. est 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. 
 Aldenhulk, Oldnulle, Aldehull, Oldenhull, Oldenhale, Holden- 
 
OFFMOOR FARM — OMBERSLEY 121 
 
 hull, Holdenhale; 14 c. OldenhuUe, 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. Aldinione. 
 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. Ealdaniune (dat.) — Old town. 
 The dat. an has generally become ing. But Ealda was an 
 A. S. p. n., and Ealdaniun (gen.) would also be Ealda's town. 
 I see no material for election. 
 
 Oldswinford, i m. SE. of Stourbridge. D. Suineford; 
 1275 Swyneford, S. R. ; 1340 Oldeswynesford, Old Swyne- 
 ford. A. S. Swlnford, '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. 
 n6; 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 Ombersetena gemcere 
 (the -boundary of the ' Omber ' folk) is mentioned, so that 
 Ambre and Omber may be treated as variants. The terminal 
 is plain ' lea ' (w. 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), Ambresberie (Ames- 
 bury, Wilts.), Ambresdone (Ambrosden, Oxon.), Ambretone 
 (Bucks.), Ambritonei^yi^'s,!), 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 ySmbriht, 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. 
 
 Oris. The Oris (wood), near Mathon; Clifton Oris 
 (wood), and Birch Oris (wood), in Severn Stoke. Oris is 
 a M. E. pi. form of A. S. alor, the alder-tree. ' Birch ' here 
 probably means a clearing {p Breach), and has no reference 
 to the birch-tree. 
 
 Osmonds Farm, in Ombersley (i m. E. of). Philip 
 Osmund wa.s living in Ombersley in 1275, S. R., and Richard 
 Osmond m 1327, S. R. The farm probably derives its name 
 from that famil)'. 
 
 Oswaldeslow Hundred, was formed in 964 (charter of 
 K. Eadgar, C. S. 11 35) 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 Maw, 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 hlaw 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) (». Ton). There is an ' Otherton ' in Staffordshire, 
 which D. records as Orreione; a medial th always perplexed 
 a Norman scribe, and, as he could not pronounce it, he 
 substituted r, or, more frequently, d. 
 
 Overbury, %\ m. NE. of Tewkesbury. 875 U/erebreodune, 
 vel Uferebiri, Vfera hirig, C. S. 541; D. Oureberie; 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 (i^ 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- 
 ox Pack-. The prefix probably represents an unrecorded 
 A. S. p. n. PcBcc, gen. PcBcces — Psecc's ford. V. Ford. 
 
 Paxton, h., \ m. N. of Kidderminster. V. Paxford, ante, 
 and Ton. 
 
 Payford, h., Payford Bridge, in Redmarley d'Abitot. 
 141^ Pay/ord. After the Conquest Pa^aw (£-=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. ^. pise, a pea; ^\. pisan. 
 
 Pedmore, i^ m. S. of Stourbridge. D. Pevemore; 12 c. 
 Pebbemore; 1262 Pebbemore ; iz'je, 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. Peof, gen. Peo/es (recorded in the 
 Northumbrian forms Peuf, Peu/a). By germination of the 
 final consonant, a common Indogermanic way of forming 
 diminutive names, we obtain Peobba {bb is the regular 
 doubling of y^ originally ^). Thus we have Peobba's moor 
 (». More). There was a Pebemore in Eldersfield in 1275,8. R., 
 not now marked on the O. M. ; cp. Pebworth, Warwicks. 
 
 Pendoek, 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; T). 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. Pendoek lies 7 m. W. of Severn, and it 
 may be of Welsh origin {pen is quite Welsh) ; but I can 
 make nothing of Pendoek in that language. 
 
 PenhuU, h., in Lindridge (3 m. E. of). 13 and 14 c. 
 Penhull. Probably M. Y.. 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, j. 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). 
 
 Pensax, 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. sais, Saxon. 
 
 Pensham, h., i m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Pedneshamme, 
 G. S. 1281 ; D. Pendeskam; 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 suflSx -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 Pyplinion, S. R. From 
 the p. n. Pippel, a regular formation on the base represented 
 by Pippa, Pippen, by means of the diminutive or pet sufiix 
 -el. Hence A. S. Pipling-iun means the ' town of the sons 
 ol Pip{p)ei: 
 
 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 
 Hartilhury; 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.ptpe, 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). 
 
 Pepwell Parm, in Hartlebury. 1275 Richard de Pepe- 
 walle, Galfrid de Pepiwalle, S. R. The right terminal is 
 probably ' well.' There is frequent confusion between well 
 
PENORCHARD FARM — PERSHORE I27 
 
 and wall in consequence of the Mercian form for well being 
 walk. An A. S. Pippan-wcBlle, Pippa's well (spring), would 
 very likely produce a M. E. Pepewalle. 
 
 Perdiswell, h., 2 m. N. of Worcester. 1327 Perdeswell, 
 Pardeswelle, 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 iheir 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 =>•), pear-tree {v. Perry, anle, and Perry Wood, /m/). 
 
 Perry Wood, i m. E. of Worcester. 969 cbI ihcsre 
 Pirian, C. S. 1240; D. Pirian. A. S. pirige, pirie, dat. 
 pirian — ' at the Pear-tree.' 
 
 Pershore. 972 Perscoran (dat.), C. S. 1282; 1046 
 Perscoran, C. D. 804; 1066 Perscore, C. D. 829; A. S. 
 C. Persore; D. Persore; 1275 Persore; 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 Pidele, CD. 11 10; 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. charter?. 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 (N-orth), 5 m. N. of Pershore. D. Pidelet, Pidele; 
 12*]^ 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 an3'lhing) ; 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—PITLICK 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, ^"d 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- 
 danac — 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 Pyriiune, C. S. 1282; 989 Pirigtune, C. S. 
 66 r ; D. Perttune; 1275 Periion, S. R. — 'the town of the 
 Pear-tree.' A. S. Pirige (g =y), Pirie, becomes Perry-, 
 Pir-, 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 Parm, in Mathon. William da 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 (w, Wich). 
 
 K 
 
130 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 PitmastoD, h., i m. W. of Worcester. 1275 Pitenan- 
 weston, 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 
 unliliely. 
 
 Pitmaston, h., in Kingsnorton, v. Pitmaston, ante. 
 
 Pixham Farm, Pixham 'EeTrry, on Severn, in Kempsey, 
 5 m. S. of Worcester. 1275 Pykerham, Pykresham, S. R. ; 
 1'^2'j Pykeresham, Q. "K. ; i^^^o 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 ' (w. Ham) ; ' the thief's- 
 meadow' is not unlikely. (^ Pikare=-z, picker, i. e. a stealer.' 
 Skeat.) 
 
 Plerimore, h., in Chaddesley Corbet. 1275 Pleyh- 
 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.) Pleyi-, Plehe-, I cannot translate; it is probably 
 corrupt. 
 
 Poden, h., in Church Honeyboume. 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 hoh), ' a projecting ridge of land,' which for 
 brevity I term ' hill ' — Podda's hill (w. 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 olport, but 
 have the port-ittyes 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 within port,' &c. {^thelstan's Laws). Here 
 port is used in the sense of town or market. Portstrat, 
 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 \a 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 j Port street 
 in Salwarp (probably Droitwich to Worcester), C. S. ^60, 
 361, and CD. 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), CD. 612; Portstrcet in Teddington 
 (Tewkesbury to Stow-on- the- Wold), C D. 617; Port 
 street in Lawern, C S. 1108. V. Ridgeway, Ferdstrsete,. 
 Saltway. 
 
 Fouk, Powk, V. Puck. 
 
 Powiek, 2 m. S. of Worcester. 1282 Poincgwic, C S. 
 973; D.Poimc; 12']^ Pqyswyke; 1^ c. Poywike, Poymck. 
 The terminal is wic, a village {v. Wich). Poincg- must 
 be two stems, Po- and ing, Po- being a short form of 
 PoQid), 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. preostes-, M. E. /rMto-cot— Priest's cot. 
 
 K 2 
 
132 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Prickley Farm, Priekley Green rarm, in Hartley. 
 1275 Prieleye, Prielea, S. R. ; 1685 Prichly, 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 vulgare); (w. E.P. Names, E. D. S.) 
 — ' the lea of the Privet ' ; ». Lej'. 
 
 Puck, Pook, PoTik, 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 Iiane 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 Ponke, 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 
 Hartley. 1275 Podeford, S. R. Probably A. S. p. n. 
 Pudda — Pudda's ford {p. Ford). The original (dat.) form 
 would be Puddan-ford. 
 
 Pull Court, ancient estate in Bushley, on Severn side. 
 D. Lapuh; 12 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. Pullelea 
 {'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 Ploughmen,' is to us 
 ' Peter the Ploughman.' 
 
 Pyehill Parm, in Hartlebury. 1275 Thomas Pye was 
 living in Hartlebury, and was assessed to the subsidy; he 
 probably lived on or near the hill. 
 
 Queeuhill, chapelry in Ripple, 5 m. NW. of Tewkesbury. 
 Ji.Cu'hille, Chonhelme', 11 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-, 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. Cwenantim, 'the 
 woman's town ' (». 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 is/ord (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. {p. Radford, ante). 
 
 Ran Dan Woods, in Bromsgrove. Nash, i. 151, says 
 that in 1300 there were fifteen villages wilhin 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., ij 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, rt'she, 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 Rmfneshyl, 
 C. S. 356; lie. Rcefnes hylle, Hem. 267 ; 1332 Revenes- 
 hulle, S. R. A. S. Hrce/n, 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. 
 
 Bea, 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 SoUers. W. nant, 
 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 rarm, 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. 
 
 Kedhall 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 ' ; v. Pepwell, Radford, Reddall. 
 
 Ked Hill, in Kingsnorton (\\ m. S. of), is called thonan 
 in readan sloe, swa in mczre 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, i^ m. SE. of Worcester, is 
 referred to in an A. S. charter relating to Whittington 
 (Hem. 358), in thcBr adun be tham readen wege (thence down 
 by the Redway). 
 
 Kedmarley d'Abitot, 4 m. N. of Newent. 963 Reode- 
 vicereleage, C. S. 1109; 978 Rydemareleage, C. D. 619; 
 D. Ridmerlege, Redmerleie, Ridmerlege; 1275 Rudmereley, 
 Redmereligh, Rudmareligh. The terminal is certainly ley 
 (q. V.) ; mcBre is a boundary, but mere, a pool, is sometimes 
 written mcBre in A. S. charters. (ToUer-Bosworth, s. Mere.) 
 The difficulty is ■^■ith Reode ; none of the earlier prefixes mean 
 ' Red-.' (' Reode is from A. S. hreod, a reed. I think mcere 
 here:=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 — RIDGEACRE 137 
 
 Bednall, h., 5 m. NE. of Bromsgrove. 730 Wreodanhale, 
 C. S. 234; 934 Wreadanhale, C. S. 701; 1275 Wredtnhale, 
 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 Rook and Ferry, on Severn, i m. S. of 
 Stourport. c. 1200 Radestone (Layamon) ; i2*j^ 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. at 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/or d, 
 C. D. 738; II c. Ribetforde, Hem. ; 1275 Rtbe/ord, S. R. 
 Ribbesford lies on Severn side. The terminal is plain 
 ' ford ' (q. V.) ; but ribbed or ribet 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. hryding, 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 ; Bidgeacre 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. 
 
 Eidgeway (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 W oxcesitr Ricwege, Hricgweye, CD. 1368; 
 between Stratford-on-Avon and Shipston-on-StourZTrj/c^w^^, 
 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. 
 
 Hippie, 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. 
 
 Eoehford, 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 (». Ford). D. uses c/i for hard c. The 
 
RIDGEWAY — ROUSE-LENCH 139 
 
 original pronunciation would be Hroc's 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, Hrof's 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, Aka 
 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 r6 c. that we find the name of the present 
 parish as Rake, 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. 
 
 Eodge Hill, Bodge Farm, in Hartley. 1327 Rich* 
 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 ' (». 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). 
 
I40 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Eowney 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 
 shortening, our mod. ' rough.' 
 
 Rubery Hill, in Kingsnorton. Though without forms 
 I think the meaning is clear. Ru- represents A. S. ruh, 
 rough, and hery, A. S. beorh, M. E. lerg {g =y), 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. 
 
 Bushoek, 5 m. W. of Bromsgrove. D. Russococ; 13 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. 
 
 Rushwiek, v. Wick. 
 
 Biissells Hall, \ m. W. of Dudley. 1 3 1 6 Russelles-halle. 
 A Norman family of Russell resided here for some centuries. 
 
 Ryall, h., in Ripple. 12']^ Ruhale, S.R. ; x'>,'^2 Ruhale, 
 S. R. ; 14 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 (ii like French u). The mod. name supports 
 this view. 
 
 Sale Green, h., in Huddington. 1327 Cristina atte Sale, 
 S. R. A. S. jcs/, 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. 
 nog, a. 963, relating to Redmarley. There is a Salters 
 Lane i J m. SE. of Tardebigg, probably leading to Bordesley 
 Abbey, Coventry, and the NE. Saliwelle 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 (herepath ' army path,' but sub- 
 stantially ' a broad way '), Salter dene (Salter's valley), Salter 
 wellan (Salter's springs), Salt hroc (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 Saltstrat 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 strmt is mentioned in a charter relating 
 to Dunnestreattun (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 i\rs\. SE. of the Four Shire Stone; and 3 m. further 
 SE. on the London road is the village of Saltiord, 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 Sealtstrate in an A. S. charter without date, C. D. 
 289. This road would continue as a saltway up to Spetchley, 
 
SALTtVAY 143 
 
 and thence via Martin Hussingtree. Seal/ sircBt 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 Sealt 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 difiScult 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 SaKord 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, 5J 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. sealt, Salwarpe might be read as 'the river 
 which throws up salt' (A. S. weorp, weorpan, means to 
 
SAIWARP-^SAXONS LODE 145 
 
 throw up, cast oS); but these river names are hopeless; 
 their roots often lie, wholly or partially, in sonje extinct 
 language. 
 
 Salwarp, river, rises near Bromsgrove, and runs, by Stoke 
 Prior and Droitwich, into Severn, 3 m. N. of Worcester. 
 V. Salwarp, anie. 
 
 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 (^:^y), 
 a fir-tree, spruce fir, dat. sapigan. The Sapian of 781 is 
 a late spelling of Scspigan, just as ptrig{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 13 and 14 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, \\ va.. SE. of Upton, 
 1275 La Lode, S. R. ; 13 c. 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. 
 
 L 
 
146 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Sedgberrow, 3 m. S. of Evesham. 771 Segcesesbearwe, 
 C. S. 223; 964 Secgesbearwe in monte Wiccisca (i.e. the 
 Cotswolds, q. v.), C. S. 11 34; D. Secgesbarue ; 1275 Segges- 
 berrow, 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', 
 Selley, Lyt. Ch.; 1275 Selleye, S. R. ; 14 c. Solleye, 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 Seqfenwyllas. 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. Saferne. 
 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 fem. 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 stoce, 
 C. S. 1282; D. Stoche; 1273 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 Bayton (i m. W. of). 
 1327 Shekenhurste, S. R. ; 16 c. Schekenshurst. This is 
 Scaecca's wood, Sccecca being an A. S. p. n. The A. S. form 
 would be at Scmccan-hyrst (sc = sh). 
 
 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 eross-road 
 between them. ' Gate " is a later addition. 
 
 Shatterford, h., 4 m. NW. of Kidderminster. 996 
 Sciieres-ford (Wulfrun's Ch.). A. S. scykre ([sc=sA), an 
 archer, shooter — the archer's ford {»i 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. scea/an, 
 to shave, M. E. schaver, a barber. Example : Shavers End, 
 Rusball, 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=sX). 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. 
 schel/e, a shelf, shelve, or shelving cUff. 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 Beauehamp, 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 (». Ley). The manor belonged to the Beauchamps in 
 the 15 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=s/i), 
 Scyld's lea. 
 
 Sheltwood, Sheltwood Farm, i^ m. S. of Tardebigg, 
 formerly a grange to Bordesley Abbey. 14 c. Siltwode, 
 Shiltewode Grange ; 1 6 c. Scheltewodde. The terminal of 
 course is ' wood ' ; I cannot translate the prefix, the forms 
 being late and corrupt. 
 
 Shenstoue, h., in Hartlebury. 1275 Scheneston, S. R. ; 
 1327 Shension. The medial j shows that the terminal was 
 A. S. sldn, stone, not ton. The prefix is scene (sheen), 
 beautiful, shining. Most pi. names have their forms from 
 the dat. case, which here would be tsi Scienansiane {sc=^sK), 
 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, w. Lench (Sheriffs). 
 
 SMpston-on-Stour. 770 Scepeswasce, C. S. 205; 957 
 ScepwcBsciun, C. S. ioo6 ; D. Scepwesiun. 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. sctr, 
 M. E. sckire, a district, division, (later) boundary. V. Red 
 Earl's Dyke. 
 
 Shortwood, Shortwood Dingle, Little Shortwood, 
 Great Shortwood, hamlets and farms, 2^ m. S. of Alve- 
 church. 1545 Schorte Wodde (belonged to Bordesley Abbey) — 
 Shortwood. 
 
 Shortwood, a wood in Hagley. 1349 Shoriwod — 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. Escremlei; 1275 Sckreweky, S. R. A. S. sera/ 
 (sc = sA), 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 dc, 
 Sciren dc {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. sidan), 
 spacious, large, and healk — 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 est Smitan, C. D. 6i8; 1275 Smite, S.R. 
 Bosworth-ToUer translates Sviite ' 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. 
 
 Smitlunoor 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 Swaffham. 
 
 Saeachill, h,, \ m. SE. of Spetchley. 977 Snmtes wylle, 
 C. D. 612. This is clearly ' Snset's well' (spring), but Snat 
 as a p. n. is not recorded elsewhere. 
 
 Snead, Upper Snead, Lower Suead, Snead Common, 
 in Rock. \2i^Sned; 1327 .SVzf^/i?, S. R. This is a common 
 name in the Midlands. It is A. S. snxd, 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 Penaax. 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., Sodingtou Hall (moated), in Mamble 
 {\ m. S. of). 825 Suihtune, C. S. 386;- 957 Suthinton, 
 C. S. 1007; 967 Suihtune, C. S. 1201; 1275 Suthinlone, 
 Sodintone, S. R. ; 1327 Sodinton, S. R. The passage from 
 Suihtune, South town, to Suihantune, 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. 
 
 Solcum, f., in Wolverley. It is probable that the original 
 name was Solcomh, 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 hamtun, home town (». 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. 
 
 SouthaU, h,, in Doverdale. 1327 Southale, S. R. — South 
 hall {v. Hale). 
 
 Southend Farm, in Upton-on-Severn. 1275 Robert de 
 Suihende, and three other families, S. R. — South end {y. 
 End). 
 
 Spadesbourue 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 Uving in Yardley in 1275, and Adam 
 Spark is again assessed, s. Yardley, in 1327. 
 
152 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 Spellis rarm, 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. 
 
 Spetohley, 3 m. E. of Worcester. 816 Spacleahton, 
 C. S. 356; 967 Speclea, C. S. 1204; D. Speclea; 1275 
 Specheskye, S. R. This is a difficult case. The terminal 
 -leahion, in the forta of 816, means a kitchen garden (A. S. 
 leac-tun, leah-tun, literally ' leek ' enclosure), a,nd if that form 
 is accepted it would be a guide to the meaning of SpcBc- ; 
 but all the other forms are plain ' lea ' ; and the es in the form 
 of 1275 points to SpcEc- {c = ch) as a p. n. ; but there is no 
 such recorded name, or anything like it. A. S. SpcBc 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 SpcBc- probably represents 
 some unrecorded p. n., and we may construe it 'Spsec's 
 garden ' or ' Spaec's lea ' (». Ley). 
 
 Spilsbury Hill, in Mamble. 1275 Spelelury, S. R. ; 
 1327 Spelksbury, S. R. The prefix is the A. S. p. n. *Sptl, 
 Spila, recorded in D. as 3]*z7/^— Spil's hurh {v. Bury). 
 
 Stanford-on-Teme, 8 m. SW. of Stourport. D. Stanford. 
 A. S. Stanford, stone or rocky ford (y. Ford). 
 
 Stapenhill Farm, in Blockley. This probably represents 
 an A. S. Steapan-hylle — Steapa's hill ; cp. Stapenhill, 2 m. NW. 
 
SPELUS FARM — STILDON MANOR 153 
 
 of Stourbridge (1342 Stapmhult), and Stapenhill, near Burton- 
 on-Trent (D. Stapenhill^. 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 (». 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. 
 
 StecMord, h., 5 m. SE. of Birmingham, in Yardley 
 parish. 1242 Stiches/ord, I. P. M. I think the possessive 
 J 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. Si./, and in Professor Skeat's opinion the forms imply an 
 A. S. Styfices, gen. of Styfic, or Styfeces, gen. of Styfec, the 
 latter being a known p. n. I therefore construe Stechford as 
 Styfec's ford (». Ford). Stukeley, in Hunts, is Styfeca's 
 lea. 
 
 Stildon Manor, in Pensax. 958 Stilladune, C. S. 1007; 
 D. Stilldune; 1332 StilUon, S. R. If the form of 958 
 represents Stillandune, as I think it does, the meaning is 
 Stilla's hill (z». 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-f/ar/= 
 plough-tail, red-,r/ar/= 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, 
 \\ 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., 
 i^ 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 ; stow and tun have practically 
 the same meaning. 
 
 Stockton-on-Teme, 7 m. E. of Tenbury. 958 Stoctune, 
 C. S. 1007 ; D. Stotune; 1275 Station, 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 (». 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 
 mon^tery at Worcester). This charter exists only in a late 
 copy. The A. S. usually used c not k. 804 Stocce, C. S. 
 313 ; 967 Stoce, C. S. 1202 ; D. Stoche (a D. ch represents k, 
 or c hard); 1275 Stok Prioris, 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. Stanes; 1275 Slanes, S. R. ; 
 1327 Sione, S. R. A. S. stanas (pi.), stones; the a developed 
 into in later times; hence ac 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 Stonhak, 
 S. R. The modern form correctly expresses its meaning. 
 Stoon, ston, stan were M. E. forms for stone. 
 
 Stoulton, 5 m. SE. of Worcester. 840 Stoltun, C. S. 
 430 ; 1275 Stoltone, S. R. ; 1332 Stotton, 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 Stttn. 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 Stor 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 Stiir may be connected by gradation with E. 
 stor-m. Germ. Stur-m, and E. stir. The sense may be 
 ' bustling, stormy,' i.e. rapid, or else turbid. 
 
 Stoiir, river, rises 5J m. SW. of Banbury, and falls into 
 Avon i^ m. SW. of Stratford. 704-988 always Star or 
 Stfire. 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 Sturbrugg, and in 1375 it is recorded as Stourbrugge, 
 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 Slure (Stour). In 781, 
 Heathored, Bishop of Worcester, surrenders to Offa, King 
 of the Mercians, the monastery of Bath in exchange for 
 lands inter alia ' at Siure xxxviii (cassatos). Simili etiam 
 vocabulo CEt Sture in Usmere xiii manenUum' ; 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 (manentium), 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 at 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. 
 
 StoTirport. 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)mytke, 
 ' meeting of rivers, confluence,' a word connected with our 
 ' mouth.' 
 
 Stow (A. S. stow) 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. 
 
 StreDsham, 5 m. SW. of Pershore. 972 Strengesho, 
 C. S. 1281 ; 1275 Strengesham, S. R. A. S. p. n. Streng, 
 and ho, hill (». Ho) — Streng's hill. Streng, Strang = strong, 
 are common stems in A. S. p. names. Strengesburides, 
 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. 
 
 Suekley, 10 m. SW. of Worcester. T). Suchlei ; 1275 
 Sukkeleye, S. R. 1346 Sukeley. A. S. p. n. Succa, Succa's 
 lea (». Ley). Examples : Succanpyt, Succa's pit (C. S. 1234); 
 Succanscyif, Succa's shelf (table land) (C. D. 1232). 
 
 Sudbury, in Worcester. 963 Suthan hyrig (dat. form), 
 ' the south burh ' {v. Bury). 
 
 Suddington, h., in Ombersley. The A. S. form would 
 
158 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 be cei Suthantune, at the south town (w. Ton). Cp. Newington, 
 from cEt 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 theere strcete be thmre wcdlan on Sunder land (so 
 along the street by the spring to Sunderland). The spring 
 is now called ' Withy Wells.' Here Sunder has become 
 Sunday. Sunderland 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, Sutton Boadr Sutton Farm, i m. 
 SW. of Kidderminster. D. Sudtone, berewick of Kidder- 
 minster. A. S. nom. Suth-tun, dat. at Siithan-tune, South 
 town. A medial iht 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. Sudhne. 
 A Sulhiune 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. 
 
 Swanoote, 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 countrjinan. 
 
 Swanshurst, f., in Kingsnorton. 1275 Swanhurste, S. R. ; 
 1332 Suanneshurste, S. R. Swan was not a p. n. before the 
 Conquest, 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, CD. 670 j 13 c. Swynesheved. This is 'Swine's 
 head.' A. S. swin meant a pig, or herd of swine, but it also 
 meant the image of a boar on a helmet. York (L. Eboracum, 
 A. S. Eo/onmc) 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 
 Eoforwic to York, but it is a true one ; Eo- was sounded 
 likej'o, and the rest gradually followed. A. S. heafod, M. E. 
 heued, 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 hamione, home town ; but Syche may have 
 become a p. n. Christina atte Siche is recorded in the S. R. 
 of 1275, and the atle would soon drop out. V. Hampton. 
 
 Talton House, Talton Farm, Talton Cottage, Talton 
 Mill, in Tredington. 991 Tatlintune, C. D. 676; 1275 
 Tatlintone, S. R.; 1327 Tydelyngton, Tadlintone, S. R. ; 16 c. 
 Tadlingion alias Talton. The original form would probably be 
 T(Btl-ing-tun, the town of the sons of Taleli^. Ing, and Ton). 
 
 Tansley Mill, h., i m. SE. of Dudley. Rightly Tansy 
 Hill; doubtless from the wild tansy {Patentilla Amerind) 
 having once flourished there. Tansy was formerly used for 
 flavouring, and Tansy-cake and Tansy-tea were popular. 
 
 Tanwood Green, Tanwood House, i m. NE. of 
 Chaddesley Corbett. 13 c. Twenewode, I. P. M. I think 
 Twene represents M. E. Iwin, Iwine, 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 TcBrdebicgan, 
 C. S. 1317; IOC. Terde hicg, Hem. 362; Terdebiggan, 
 Th. Ch. 451; D. Terdeherie; 12 c. Terdebigge ; 1283 
 Tyrdebigg. Despite the early forms the prefix is difiicult 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, g m. E. of Tewkesbury. 780 Teoltingtun, 
 C. S. 236; ,977 Tidingclun, Teodintune, C. D. 617; 964 
 Teotintun, C. S. 11 35; 10 c. several other charters with 
 similar varying forms ; c. 1046 Theoiindun ; D. Teotiniune; 
 1275 Tedinion, S. R. It is certain that Teot- represents an 
 A. S. p. n., perhaps Teotta, though such a name is not 
 recorded (Tetie is common). That would yield an A. S. 
 TeoUingtUn, 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 Tamisis, and 
 Tacitus Tamisa, for the Thames, which appears in A. S. 
 charters as Tamese and Temis. There is a river Temes in 
 Hungary, and several rivers on the continent commencing 
 Tam- or Tern-. The root must be ascertained before any 
 construction can be arrived at. 
 
TAPPENHALL — THRIFT l6l 
 
 Tenbury. D. Tamedeherie, Tametdeberie. Tenbury is not, 
 mentioned in any earlier record than D. It means the hurh (i). 
 Bury) on the Teme, on which river it is situate. V. Teme. 
 
 Tessall Farm, in Kingsnorton. D. Thessak (berewick 
 of Bromsgrove). 1275 Thessak, Teshak; 13 c. Teshah. 
 Th- is, I think, the correct spelling, but the pronunciation 
 was evidently T, as at present in 7%omas, 7%ame, Thames, 
 An/ziony, &c. This may be A. S. {ge)tas, pleasant, fair, 
 and hak (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. Alkr, Elkr, Owkr, Wallow, 
 are also dialectic words for the alder. The A. S. form would 
 be at tham thiccan aire. V. Tichenapletreu. 
 
 Thome, h., in Inkberrow (moated). A. S. thorn, the 
 thorn (tree). 
 
 Thornton, h., 3^ m. NW. of Pershore. 963 Thordune, 
 C. S. mo; Thorndune, C. D. 463; 977 Lusthorne, C. D. 
 612; 1275 Thorndun, S. R. A. S. Thorndiin, thorn hill. 
 The Ltisthorne of 977 is curious, and rare; liis alone is our 
 ' louse,' but in compound with -thorne it means the Spindle- 
 tree, Euonymus europaeus, known also as the Louse-berry ; 
 ' 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. scir 
 (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 
 
l62 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 'Thrift' (Armeria maritima and Sedum reflexunt) 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 Trochemerlon ; 
 c. 1220 Trokemerlun, Trokemardtune ; 1275 Throkemorton, 
 Trokemerton, S. R. A. S. throc=2k throck, piece of timber on 
 which the share of the plough is iixed. The forms favour 
 an original merelun, pool town; but how to construe throe 
 in combination with pool town I do not know; it might have 
 been martun, 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 
 
 1571- 
 
 Tibberton, 4 m. NE. of Worcester. 978 Tidhrihtingctun, 
 CD. 603; D. Tidbertun; 1275 Tybrytone, S. R. ; 1304 
 Tylurton, Tyberton. The first form may be safely accepted, 
 and gives us ' the town of the sons (or descendants) of 
 Tidbriht' (rect€ 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. Thiecan Apel ires 
 (dat.), Hem. 560; 1275 Amicia de Thikenapeltre, S. R. ; 
 1346 Tiehenappktree, S. R. — 'the thick apple-tree.' This 
 name is worth preserving, {a) as recording the equanimity 
 
THROCKMORTON — TIMBERHANGER 163 
 
 ■with which a ' Lord of the Manor ' allows himself to be styled 
 Hugh ' the Ass,' {b) as illustrating changes of form, and the 
 simplicity of some pi. names. V. Thicknel. 
 
 Tickeuhill, ancient estate in Bewdley. This is probably 
 A. S. iiccen, 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 Tidel- 
 minclune, C. D. 614 ; D. Tidelminiun ; 1275 Tidelminton, 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. iiii; 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 (r542) belonged ' to the Cellarer, ad lac in conquina 
 ei ad pabula equorum hospiium ' (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-byng, 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. Tkel- 
 brycg, a plank bridge. The name is common in A. S. charters. 
 Cp. Tilbridge Lane, Roman Way, York to Doncaster. 
 
 Timberdine, h., i^ m. S. of Worcester. 1347 Timberdene. 
 A. S. Umber-den, Timber valley. 'Timber' meant (and 
 means) trees large enough for building with. A. S. houses 
 were mostly of wood. V. Timberhanger. 
 
 Timberhanger, h., 3 m. W. of Bromsgrove. D. Timber- 
 bangre (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 
 Synckereslondl^'i.-nS), 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 war dine means an 
 estate, property (z). 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/o«,' an 
 
TIMBERLAKE — TRENCH LANE 165 
 
 enclosure for corn, 'apple/o«,' 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. g : ' 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. 
 iunge, 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 (J m. N. of). 13 c. Thorouihon 
 (on bounds of Feckenham Forest) ; 1275 T'or/ow, S. R. The 
 forms are corrupt. Probably the A. S. form would be 
 Thriihtun. Thruh means {a) a trough, pipe, conduit; (3) 
 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 Tyrdintune, 
 C. S. 1 135; 978 Tredindune, C. D. 620; 991 Tredintune, 
 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 Huddington, 3 m. SE. 
 
l66 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. Tri'npelei, berewick 
 of Kidderminster; 1275 Trympeleye, ^.'K.; 14 and 15 c. 
 Trympleye. The terminal is ley (q. v.) ; but the prefix is 
 too corrupt to construe. 
 
 Trotshall, h., in Warndon (J m. S. of). 16 c. Trotswell, 
 aunciently Toitreswell ; 1 8 c. Trotshtll, 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. \^c. Totienhull, Totenhull; 1275 
 Totenhull, S. R. ; 16 c. Tuttenht'll. ' 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 est Tutlan-hyl — Tutta's hill, which would yield 
 a modern Tutnall. V. Tutnall, ante. 
 
 Twyford, h., ij 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 (z/. Ley). 
 
 TTokiughall, h., \ m. W. of Ripple. 1275 Hugingehak, 
 Hugingale, S. R. ; 16 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 tsher and Uckingeford 
 are found in C. S. 158, 300, 727, and 1072. V. Ing, and 
 Hale. 
 
 TJflFmoor Farm, TJflftnore Green, Uffmore Wood, 
 V. Offmoor. 
 
 UfiEiiell Farm, in Whittington ; Ufiiiell Bridge, in Per- 
 shore. No forms, but I think the modern name represents 
 an original A. S. C^awAy/— 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 
 modem up. V. Ham, and Ton. 
 
1 68 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 TJpthorp, 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- 
 byrie; 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 (&. 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 
 
UPTHORP—WALCOT 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., 3I m. NW. of Pershore. 972 Wad- 
 heorh, 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. V. 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, {b) a p. n., 
 (f) a serf. There are some hundreds of Waltons and 
 Walcots in England, always found in Mercian A. S. as 
 Waleiun or Walecot, but in East Midland and Southern 
 charters as Weal{K)- ; e. g. White Walton in Berks, was 
 Wealtun, C. S. 762 ; Walton near Peterborough, Wealtun, 
 CD. 726; Walton in Suffolk, Wealtune in 1046; and 
 Bishops Walton, Hants, Wealtham 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= 
 O. Merc. wala=A. 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. weakere, 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. 
 
 Walloxhlll, 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 
 Wallon 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 ' ; o. Walcot. 
 
 Walton, h., in Hartlebury. 1325 Walton. K. Walcot, 
 and Walton, ante. 
 
 Wannerton, h., Wannerton Down, in Churchill, near 
 Kidderminster. D. Wenvertun (berewick of Kidderminster) ; 
 1275 Wen/or ton, S. R. ; 1327 Wen/or Ion, S. R. ; 14 c. Wen- 
 nortun, Wenforton; 1415 Wenforton. The terminal is plain 
 ton, q. V. Professor Skeat suggests that Wenver-, Wen/or- 
 represent the A. S. p. n. Wenforth — Wenforth's town. 
 
 Waresley, Waresley Court, Waresley House, h., in 
 Hartlebury. 817 Wcsresleye, C. S. 361; 980 Wereslcege, 
 
WALK — WARRIDGE LODGE 171 
 
 C. D. 627 ; 979 WcereslcBge, C. S. 637 ; c. 1108 Wcereseky; 
 12 c. Wareslei. Wcer was an A. S. p. n., and also formed 
 the prefix to many names, such as Warleald, Warhurh, 
 Warfrttk, &c. This is Wser'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 ■i.k ox hard f.) Weorc was an A. S. p. n., 
 and is also ouf 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-Wigom, h., anciently in Halesowen Manor. 
 
 D. Werwelie; 13 and 14 c. Werneleye, Weruelege, Wereulegh, 
 Werweleye; 15 c. frequently, WerueUye. Probably the n in 
 the second form is a mistake for «, 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 WcBr- 
 wul/.' 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, 1 1 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, 2^ 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 Hdrstdc (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 Hdrstan (hoarstone) — boundary 
 stone. V. Hoarstone, Warstock. 
 
 Wassail Grove, h., 2\ 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. 'E./eld, field, and the prefix the p. n. Wcsr — 
 War'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 — WELLAND 173 
 
 {v. Warshill Camp). (In A. S. seld and seil are synonyms.) 
 The first form favours Mr. Stevenson's suggestion. 
 
 Wastill, h., in Kingsnorton (i^ m. SW. of), and Waste 
 Hills, adjoining. 730 Warset/elde, C. S. 234; 780 WcBr- 
 sethylk, C. S. 847; 849 Wearsei/elde, Wear set hy lie, C. S. 
 455; 930 Werst/elde, Warsethylle, C. S. 701; D. Wars/elk 
 (berewick of Alvechurch); 1275 Wasihulle, S. R.; 1327 
 Wasthulle, S. R. The 0. 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 wcBrset; it is not a p. n., and the forms are too 
 early to admit the suggestion that wcerset represents weard- 
 setl. V. Wassail Grove. 
 
 Weatheroak, h., Weatheroak Hill, 2^ m. NE. of 
 Alvechurch. \2j,o Wederohe ; 1^2'] WederAoie, S. R. M. E. 
 weder, weather, and oke, oak — weather oak. Weather may be 
 used in the sense of ' exposed ' ; we speak of a wealAer-cock, 
 really wind-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 Wmnan-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. wcbI, M. E. wcbI, 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, 
 
 Westmancote, h., in Bredon, 4^ m. NE. of Tewkesbury. 
 D. Wesimonecole ) 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- 
 meiis 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- 
 wude, 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 Hwitslan. 
 
 WMteford Iflill, Whiteford Farm, i m. W. of Broms- 
 grove. D. Wiieurde; 1327 John de Whyteford, S. R. The 
 urde of D. represents an A. S. worth ; Wite, probably A. S. 
 hwit — White farm (». Worth). The terminal changed from 
 worth toyorif before 1327. Nash (i. 153) identifies Whitford 
 with Witeurde. 
 
 White Ladies Aston, v. Aston (White Ladies). 
 
WEOLEGH CASTLE — WICCII 1 75 
 
 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.' 
 
 "WMtlench, Old Whitleneh, in Elmley Lovett. 969 <z/ 
 Hwitanhlince, C. D. 560. — ^White Lench. V. Lench. 
 
 Whittinge, h., in Hartlebury. 1325 Whitelyng, Whyteling. 
 Ling, lyng, is a M. E. or dialectic word for heath plants or 
 heather. It is probably of Norse origin. The preiix 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 Huitington, 
 
 C. S. 367 ; 989 Hwitinlun, C. D. 670; Heming's Chartulary 
 gives the name as HuHingtun, Huuitingtun, Hwitunlune ; 
 
 D. Widintun. The forms represent A. S. Hwltinga-lUn — the 
 town of the Whitings (or sons of Hwit). 
 
 Whore Wap, h., 2 J 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, hore, a boundary (p. Hoarstone, Warstock) ; 
 Nap is A. S. cnap, M. E. knap, a small hill {v. Knap) — the 
 boundary hill. 
 
 Wiburgestoke, an unrecognized D. berewick of Harving- 
 ton (near Evesham). A. S. Wigburge, gen. of Wigburh, fem. 
 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, Hwiecii. 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 ^thelweard subscribes 
 
176 WORCESTERSHIRE PLACE NAMES 
 
 himself ' sub-regulus ' son of Oshere ' quondam regis Wiccio- 
 rum,' C. S. 116. 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 
 ^thelmund, alderman oi Hwiccium (dat. pL). By 875 the 
 Mercian kings appear to have assumed direct authority over 
 the Hwiccit, 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. 
 
 Wieh, Wick, Wyke, a common terminal and occasional 
 prefix, is A. S. wic, M. E. wic, wike, wyke, a dwelling, 
 village, &c. ; wtc was probably palatal (wych) in pronuncia- 
 tion (the i producing this palatalization of the c). In any 
 case palatalization would occur in the dat. sing, wice ; the 
 k form remained in wica, gen. pi., wicum, 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 wick, as 
 applied to salt towns, is the A. S. wic. 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. NantiwzirA, Widdltwich, Northwzir^ DroiXwich, 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 
 
WICH — WICHBOLD 177 
 
 or wtc ; V. Wiccii. D. records fifty-six manors as Wtch or 
 Wicke, of which twenty-eight have ' Salinae ' attached to 
 them, so that there must have been some connexion between 
 wich 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 sealt-wic, a place where 
 salt was sold ; but it must first have been made ; and 
 I believe that the original sense of sealt-wic may very well 
 have been " salt creek " or salt-pit. Anyhow, we have sealt 
 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.) 
 
 Wichtaold., 2 m. N. of Droitwich. 692 Uuicbold, C. S. 
 77; 815 Z7«2i-i5o/cf, C. S. 353; 831 Wicdold, C. S. 400 ; D. 
 Wicelbold; M. E. forms Wicbald, Wichbald, Wichbaud, Wich- 
 lould. The charter of 692 says 'in vico quem nobili vocitant 
 nomine Uuicbold 'j 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 ihat 
 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, (i5) 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 = cK), a wich-elm. 
 
 Wick, h., I m. E. of Pershore. D. Wiche, Wtcha. A. S. 
 wtc, a village. V. Wich. 
 
 Wiek (probably now Henwiek), Bushwick, Lower 
 Wick, Upper Wick, 2 m. W. of Worcester, at Wi'can, 
 C. S. 1 139. The boundaries show this Wick to be N. of 
 Teme. A. S. wtc (nom.), a village. V. Wich. 
 
 Wickhamford, 3 m. SE. of Evesham. 709 Wicwon, 
 C. S. 125; 972 Wigwenn, C. S. 1281; on Wicweoniga 
 gemcera, C. D. iii. 396; D. Wiquene; 1275 Wike Wane/ord, 
 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. 117, 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. F. Don. 
 
 Wild Moor, in Bellbroughton, 3 m. N. of Bromsgrove. 
 1275 La Wildemore, 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 ; 13 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-wic — the village of the Willings (or 
 sons of Willa). V. Ing, and Wich. 
 
 Winnall, h., in Ombersley. 1275 Wylnehale (3), S, R. ; 
 
WICHBURY — WITLEY 179 
 
 1327 Whilenhak, Wylenhale, S. R. I think these forms 
 represent an A. S. Willanhak, Willa's hall, or meadow land 
 (». Hale). Willenhall, in Staffordshire, was at Wtllanhalch 
 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 Warthuile 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. WartJaiile 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- 
 mad (meadow), Withig-ford, Withig-lea, Withig-wic, Withig- 
 mor, Withig-slcBd, Withig-broc, and similar forms, are common 
 in A. S. charters. 
 
 Withy WeUs, i m. N. of Spetchley. V. Sundays Hill. 
 
 Witley, h., Witley Lodge, Whitley Colliery, in 
 Halesowen. 14 and 15 c. Whiteleyfeld, Whyteley/eld, 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 Wittleage, C. S. 1134; 969 
 Witleag, C. S. 1242 ; 972 Witlea, Witleage, C. D. 682 ; 11 c. 
 Wihtlega, Th. Ch. 600; D. Witlege; 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. Wi'ta, Hwit, or hwit, white (colour); but then the 
 forms ought to be Witanleage, or Hwitankage. 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 
 Hwiionam, C. D. 9 1 6 ; D. Wtlune in Wt'cA, Wiione in Wich ; 
 12 c. Witton Petri Corhezun; 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 is latinized, and clearly represents an 
 A. S. hwit-iUn, white town {v. Ton). 
 
 Wolfho— Wolf hill; there was a place so named in Alve- 
 church in 1327, w. S. R. ; probably now obsolete. 
 
 WoUashill, ancient estate and mansion in Eckington, on 
 Bredon Hill. 1275 Wolaueshu.ll, S. R. ; 13 c. Wollaveshall. 
 The original form in A. S. would be Wulflafes-hyl — Wulflaf's 
 hill (w. Hill). 
 
 Wollaston Hall, i m. NW. of Stourbridge. 1327 
 Wolarston, S. R. The prefix certainly represents an A. S. p. n. 
 commencing Wulf-, I think Wulfgar, a common name — 
 Wulfgar's town (w. Ton). 
 
 ■WoUescote, h., in Oldswinford. 1275 Wulfrescote, S. R. 
 A. S. p. n. Wulfhere — Wulfhere's cot. 
 
 Wolverley, 2\ 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. Vlwardlei {VI is a 
 common D. form for Wulf; 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 l8i 
 
 Wolverton, 4 m. NW. of Pershore. 977 Wulfringetune, 
 CD. 612; 984 Wulfringtune, Wulfrinton, CD. 645; D. 
 Ulfrinton (JJlf= Wulf) ; 1 275 Wolfertone, S. R. The original 
 A. S. form would be est Wulfheringa-tune, 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 oq 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. 
 
 WoodhaU, in Norton by Kempsey (| m. E. of). 1275 
 Wodeworthin, S. R. — Wood farm ; v. Worth. 
 
 WoodhaU, 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. 
 
 Woodhouse (The), Wood Bow, h., in Chaddesley 
 Corbett (i m.N. of), probably represent Wodehamcote, recorded 
 in the S. R. of 1275, under Drayton, a h. in Chaddesley. 
 By 1327 the name had been shortened to Wodecote, S. R. 
 s. Chaddesley. Two famiUes 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. 
 
l82 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 Wohtone, 
 S. R. The original form would be Wulfstanes-tun, Wulfstan's 
 town (y. 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 civiiate, Wegerna cester, 
 Weogornensis CECclesicB, Wigorn{ensis), Wigranceastre, Wegern, 
 Weogorn, Wigorn, Wegern, Wigerna, Weogerna civiiate, 
 Weogerna cestre, Weogorna civiiate, Wigorna ceastre, Wigre- 
 cestre, Weogorna geastre, Weogernaceastre, Wigreceasler , 
 Wigorn, Weogern, Wigorn, 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 o[ -scire in the lo 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 — WREN'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 j/. 
 
 D. adopts the Wt're- form, and the passage to Wor- is natural. 
 Worsle y Farm, in Abberley ( i m. N. of ). 12 c. Wermeslai, 
 
 Wervesleye; 1275 Worvesle, S. R. ; 1327 Werwesk; 1332 
 Worsley; 1603 Worsley. There is a 'Wordley ' Farm ij m. 
 
 E. of Abberley, but I think all the forms refer to Worsley. 
 The prefix doubtless represents a p. n., probably Wmrwulf — 
 Waerwulf's lea (zi. Ley). 
 
 Worth, a common terminal, is A. S. worth, weorth, wurih, 
 wyrth, wierth, homestead, farm, estate, property. It is allied 
 to A. S. worthig, weorthig, wurtkig, wyrthig, sometimes found 
 as worthign, ivorthine, 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 
 20s. 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. = A. S. a; Wrosne = A. S. wrdsne, short for 
 Wrasene, 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, wrdsen, is 
 a regular derivative of wriihan, to writhe, to iwtst 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, BoUand Knot, Hard Knot, &c. 
 
 Wribbenhall, near Bewdley. 11 c. Wrbenhala, Hem. 
 Thorpe; D. Gurbehale (berewick of Kidderminster); 1230 
 Wrbekale; 1240 Wruienhak; 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 afisc — ' 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. 
 
 Wyohall 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 =y), 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. Vi^re Favor, Great Spread, Wyre Each, 
 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; i2>j ^ Jerdekye, S. R. ; 13 and 14 c. 
 Yerdeley. All the forms are plain variants of an A. S. 
 geard-leah. Geard {g =_y) 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- 
 Jiamton (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 16 16. 
 
 Yielding Tree, L, in Broom. 13 c Stephan de Gildintre, 
 Lyt. Ch.; 1275 Gyldinire. 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. E. 
 g before e and i changed to j^ ; 'to yield ' in A. S. was 
 gieldan, our ' year ' was gear, ' yellow,' gealu, ' yolk,' geolca, 
 'ye/ ge, ^ii<^ s° °'^* Queen Elizabeth wrote yeven for 
 'given.' Much of this has been altered in modern 
 English. 
 
oxford: HORACE HART 
 PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY