Chapter V Men’s Names in Place-Names
We have seen in a preceding chapter that the earliest Saxon place-names in England are derived from a personal name, and that the idea contained is that of a modified form of common right. We shall find that a very large proportion of the later Anglo-Saxon place-names are also derived from the name of a man, but that the idea contained is now that of individual ownership or occupation. The extent to which English place-names are derived from ancient names of men is, in my judgment, very much greater than is generally supposed. And indeed, when we come to consider it, what can be so naturally associated with a ham as the name of the man who lived in that home, of a weorth as that of the man to whom that property belonged, of a Saxon tun or a Danish by or thorp as that of the man to whom the place owed its existence? If we turn to Kemble’s list of Anglo-Saxon names of places as derived from ancient charters, in the days when the individual owner had succeeded to the community, we cannot fail to remark to how large an extent this obtains, and how many of these names are in the possessive case. Now, it must be observed that there are in Anglo-Saxon two forms of the possessive, and that when a man’s name had the vowel ending in a, as noted at p. 24, it formed its possessive in an, while otherwise it formed its possessive in es. Thus we have Baddan byrig, “Badda’s borough,” Bennan beorh, “Benna’s barrow” or grave, and in the other form we have Abbodes byrig, “Abbod’s borough,” Bluntes ham, “Blunt’s home,” and Sylces wyrth, “Silk’s worth” or property. And as compound names did not take a vowel ending, such names invariably form their possessive in es, as in Haywardes ham, “Hayward’s home,” Cynewardes gemæro, “Cyneward’s boundary,” &c. I am not at all sure that ing also has not, in certain cases, the force of a possessive, and that Ælfredincgtun, for instance, may not mean simply “Alfred’s town” and not Alfreding’s town. But I do not think that this is at any rate the general rule, and it seems scarcely possible to draw the line. From the possessive in an I take to be most probably our present place-names Puttenham, Tottenham, and Sydenham, (respecting the last of which there has been a good deal of discussion of late in Notes and Queries), containing the Anglo-Saxon names Putta, Totta, and Sida. With regard to the last I have not fallen in with the name Sida itself. But I deduce such a name from Sydanham, C.D. 379, apparently a place in Wilts, also perhaps from Sidebirig, now Sidbury, in Devon; and there is, moreover, a corresponding O.G. Sido, the origin being probably A.S. sidu, manners, morals. Further traces of such a stem are found in Sidel deduced from Sidelesham, now Sidlesham, in Sussex, and also from the name Sydemann in a charter of Edgar, these names implying a pre-existing stem sid upon which they have been formed.
As well as with the ham or the byrig in which he resided, a man’s name is often found among the Anglo-Saxons, connected with the boundary—whatever that might be—of his property, as in Abbudes mearc, Abbud’s mark or boundary, and Baldrices gemæro, Baldrick’s boundary. Sometimes that boundary might be a hedge, as in Leoferes haga and Danehardes hegeræw, “Leofer’s hedge,” and “Danehard’s hedge-row.” Sometimes it might be a stone, as in Sweordes stân, sometimes a ridge, as in Eppan hrycg, “Eppa’s ridge,” sometimes a ditch or dyke, as in Tilgares dic and Colomores sîc (North. Eng. syke, wet ditch). A tree was naturally a common boundary mark, as in Potteles treôw, Alebeardes âc (oak), Bulemæres thorn, Huttes æsc (ash), Tatmonnes apoldre (apple-tree). Sometimes, again, a man’s name is found associated with the road or way that led to his abode, as in Wealdenes weg (way), Sigbrihtes anstige (stig, a footpath), Dunnes stigele (stile). Another word which seems to have something of the meaning of “stile” is hlip, found in Freobearnes hlyp and in Herewines hlipgat. In Anglo-Saxon, hlypa signified a stirrup, and a “hlipgat” must, I imagine, have been a gate furnished with some contrivance for mounting over it. Of a similar nature might be Alcherdes ford, and Brochardes ford, and also Geahes ofer, Byrhtes ora, and Æscmann’s yre (ofer, contr. ore, shore or landing-place). Something more of the rights of water may be contained in Fealamares brôc (brook), Hykemeres strêm (stream), and Brihtwoldes wêre (weir); the two latter probably referring to water-power for a mill. The sense of property only seems to be that which is found in Cybles weorthig, Æscmere’s weorth (land or property), Tilluces leah (lea), Rumboldes den (dene or valley), Bogeles pearruc (paddock), Ticnes feld (field). Also in Grottes grâf (grove), Sweors holt (grove), Pippenes pen (pen or fold), Willeardes hyrst (grove), Leofsiges geat (gate), Ealdermannes hæc (hatch), and Winagares stapol (stall, market, perhaps a place for the sale or interchange of produce). The site of a deserted dwelling served sometimes for a mark, as in Sceolles eald cotan (Sceolles old cot), and Dearmodes ald tun (Deormoda’s old town, or inclosure, dwelling and appurtenances?).
But it is with a man’s last resting-place that his name will be found in Anglo-Saxon times to be most especially associated. The principal words used to denote a grave are beorh (barrow), byrgels, and hlœw (low), in all of which the idea seems to be that of a mound raised over the spot. We have Weardes beorh, “Weard’s barrow,” also Lulles, Cartes, Hornes, Lidgeardes, and many others. We have Scottan byrgels, “Scotta’s barrow,” also Hôces, Wures, and Strenges. And we have Lortan hlæw, “Lorta’s low,” also Ceorles, Wintres, Hwittuces, and others. There is another word hô, which seems to be the same as the O.N. haugr, North. Eng, how, a grave-mound. It is found in Healdenes hô, Piccedes hô, Scotehô Tilmundes hô, Cægeshô, and Fingringahô. It would hardly seem, from the location of four of them, Worcester, Essex, Beds, Sussex, that they can be of Scandinavian origin. Can the two words, haugr and hlau (how, and hlow), be from the same origin, the one assuming, or the other dropping an l?
I take the names of persons thus to be deduced from Anglo-Saxon place-names, and which are in general correspondence with the earlier names in the preceding chapter, though containing some new forms and a greater number of compound names, to give as faithful a representation as we can have of the every-day names of Anglo-Saxons. And as I have before compared the names of those primitive settlers with our existing surnames, so now I propose to extend the comparison to the names of more settled Anglo-Saxon times.
Anglo-Saxon — Men’s Names
Place-Names
English Surnames
Abbod
Abbodesbyrig
}
Abbott
Abbud
Abbudesmearc
Æcemann
Æcemannes ceaster
Ackman, Aikman
Acen
Acenes feld
Aikin
Ægelweard
Ægelweardes mearc
Aylward
Alberht
Alcherdes ford
Allcard
Alder
Aldrestub
Alder
Ælfgar
Ælfgares gemæro
Algar
Ælfred
Ælfredes beorh
Alfred, Allfrey
Ælfher, or Ælfheri
Ælfheres stapol
Alvary
Æscmer
Æscmeres weorth
Ashmore
Æscmann
Æscmannes yre
Ashman
Alebeard
Alebeardes âc
Halbard
Amber
Ambresbyrig
Amber
Æthelstan
Æthelstanes tûn
Ethelston
Babel
Babeles beorh
Bable
Badherd
Badherdes sled
Beddard
Baldher
Baldheresberg
Balder
Baldric
Baldrices gemæro
Baldridge
Baldwin
Baldwines heath
Baldwin
Beored, or Beoret
Beoredes treôw
Berrette
Beornheard
Beornheardes lond
Bernard
Beornwold
Beornwoldes sætan
Bernold
Blunt
Bluntesham
Blunt
Bogel
Bogeles pearruc
Bogle
Bohmer
Bohmeres stigele
Bowmer
Bregen
Bregnesford
Brain
Brochard
Brochardes ford
Brocard
Buga
Buganstôc
}
Bugg
Bugga
Bugganbrôc
Bulemær
Bulemæres thorn
Bulmer
Buntel
Bunteles pyt
Bundle
Bunting
Buntingedîc
Bunting
Burhgeard
Burhgeardeswerthig
Burchard
Carda
Cardan hlæw
Card, Cart
Ceapa
Ceapan hlæw
Cheape
Ceawa
Ceawan hlæw
Chew
Cerda
Cerdan hlæw
Chard
Cissa
Cissan anstige
Cheese
Chetol (Danish)
Chetoles beorh
Kettle
Creoda
Creodan âc
}
Creed
Cridd
Criddes hô
Cumen
Cumenes ora
Cummin
Ceatewe
Ceatewesleah
Chattoway
Ceada
Ceadanford
Chad
Catt
Cattes stoke
Cat, Catty
Cæstæl
Cæstælesham
Castle
Cludd
Cludesleah
Cloud
Coten
Cotenesfeld
Cotton
Cruda
Crudan sceat
Crowd
Colomor
Colomores sîc
Colmer
Cydd
Cyddesige
Kidd
Cyble
Cybles weorthig
Keble
Celc
Celces ora
Kelk
Cylman
Cylmanstun
Killman
Cynlaf
Cynlafes stan
Cunliffe
Cynric
Cynrices gemæro
Kenrick
Cyneward
Cynewardes gemæro
Kenward
Cyppa
Cyppanham
Chipp
Dægel, or
Dæglesford
}
Dale
Deil
Deilsford
Dearnagel
Dearnagles ford
Darnell
Dæneheard
Dæneheardes hegerawe
Denhard
Deorlaf
Deorlafestun
Dearlove
Deormod35
Deormodes ald tun
Dermott
Dodd
Doddesthorp
}
Dodd
Dodda
Doddan hlæw
Dolemann
Dolemannes beorh
Dollman
Duceman
Ducemannestun
Duckman
Ducling
Duclingtun
Duckling
Dunn
Dunnes stigele
Dunn
Dogod
Dogodeswel
Doggett, Dugood
Dydimer
Dydimertun
Tidemore
Ealder
Ealderscumb
Alder
Ealdmann
Ealdmannes wyrth
Altman
Ealdermann36
Ealdermannes hæc
Alderman
Ealmund
Ealmundes treow
Almond
Eanulf
Eanulfestun
Enough
Earn
Earnesbeorh
Earney
Eastmond
Eastmondestun
Esmond
Ecgell
Ecgeles stiel
Edgell, Eagle
Fealamar
Fealamares brôc
{
Fillmore
Phillimore
Flegg
Flegges garan
Flew
Focga
Focgancrundel
Fogg, Foggo
Freobearn
Freobearnes hlyp
Freeborn
Frigedæg
Frigedæges treôw
Friday
Fuhgel
Fuhgeles beorh
Fuggle, Fowl
Gandar
Gandrandun
Gander
Gæcg
Gæcges stapol
}
Gay
Geah
Geahes ofer
Gatehlinc
Gatehlinces heafod
Gatling
Geleca
Gelecancamp
Jellicoe
Geyn
Geynes thorn
Gain
Giselher
Gislhereswurth
Giller
Godincg
Godincges gemæro
Godding
Godmund
Godmundesleah
Godmund
Godwin
Godwines gemæro
Godwin
Grobb
Grobbes den
Grove, Grubb
Grott
Grottes grâf
Grote
Gund
Gundestige
Gunn, Gundey
Hærred
Hærredesleah
Herod
Heafoc
Heafoceshamme
Hawk
Hassuc
Hassuces môr
Haskey
Hering
Heringesleah
Herring
Hnibba
Hnibbanleah
Knibb, Knipe
Hayward
Haywardes ham
Hayward
Healda
Healdan grâf
Hald
Healden
Healdenes hô
Haldan
Helm
Helmes treow
Helme
Helfær
Helfæres gemæro
Helper
Help
Helpestonne
Helps
Herebritt
Herebrittes comb
Herbert
Herewin
Herewines hlipgat
Irwine
Hiccemann
Hiccemannes stân
Hickman
Humbald
Humbalding grâf
Humble
Hycemer, or Higemar
Hycemeres strêm
Highmore
Hnæf
Hnæfes scylf
Knapp
Hocg
Hocgestun
Hogg, Hodge
Horn
Hornes beorh
Horne
Hringwold
Hringwoldes beorh
Ringold
Hwittuc
Hwittuces leah
Whittock
Hutt
Huttes æsc
Hutt
Hygelac37
Hygelaces git
Hillock
Kyld
Kyldesby
Kilt
Leofer
Leoferes haga
Lover
Laferca
Lafercanbeorh
Laverick
Leofmann
Leofmannes gemæro
Loveman
Leommann
Leommannes grâf
Lemon
Leofsig
Leofsiges geat
Lovesy
Leofric
Leofrices gemæro
Loveridge
Lidgeard
Lidgeardes beorh
Ledgard
Lipperd
Lipperdes gemæro
Leopard
Lower
Lowereslege
Lower
Locer
Loceresweg
Locker
Lorta
Lortanberwe
Lord
Lorting
Lortinges bourne
Lording
Luder
Luderston
Luther
Ludmann
Ludmannes put
Lutman
Lull
Lulles beorh
Lull, Lully
Myceld
Myceldefer
Muckelt
Mûl
Muleshlæw
Moule
Negle
Neglesleah
Nagle
Næl
Nælesbrôc
Nail
Nybba
Nybban beorh
Nibbs
Oslac
Oslaces lea
Hasluck
Ogged
Oggedestun
Hodgett, Howitt
Oswald
Oswaldes mere
Oswald
Orlaf
Orlafestun
Orlop
Owun
Owunes hild
Owen
Pehtun
Pehtuns treow
Peyton
Pender
Penderes clif
Pender
Picced
Piccedes hô
Pickett
Pinnel
Pinnelesfeld
Pennell
Pippen
Pippenes fen
Pippin
Pyttel
Pittelesford
Piddel
Pitterich
Piterichesham
Betteridge
Pottel
Potteles treow
Pottle
Potten
Pottenestreow
Potten
Punt
Puntes stân
Punt
Puntel
Punteles treow
Bundle
Prentsa
Prentsan hlaw
Prentiss
Redwin
Redwines thorn
Readwin
Rahulf
Rahulfes furlong
Ralph
Rugebeorg
Rugebeorges gemæro
Rubery
Rumbold
Rumboldes den
Rumbold
Sceaft
Sceaftesbirig
Shaft, Shafto
Sceoll
Sceolles ealdcotan
Sholl
Scytta
Scyttandun
Skeat, Shute
Scyter38
Scyteres flôd
Shuter
Scealc
Scealces hom
Shawkey, Chalk?
Scyld
Scyldes treow
Shield
Simær
Simæres ford
Seymour
Secmær
Secmæres ora
Sycamore
Sigbriht
Sigbrihtes anstige
Sibert
Sibriht
Sibrihtesweald
Seabright39
Siger
Sigeres âc
Segar
Snell
Snellesham
Snell
Snod
Snodes hyl
Snoad
Streng
Strenges hô
Strong
Stut
Stutes hyl
Stout, Stott
Stutard
Stutardes cumb
Stothard, Studeard
Sucga
Sucgangrâf
Sugg
Sumer
Sumeresham
Summer
Sumerled (Danish)
Sumerledetun
Sommerlat
Sunemann
Sunemannes wyrthig
Sunman
Sweor
Sweores holt
Swire, Swears
Sweord
Sweordes stân
Sword
Tæcel
Tæcelesbrôc
Tackle
Tatmonn
Tatmonnes apoldre
Tadman
Tatel
Tatlestrop
Tattle
Thuner
Thunresfeld
Thunder
Thurgar (Danish)
Thurgartun
Thurgur
Thrista
Thristan den
Trist
Theodher
Theoderpoth
Theodore
Thurold (Danish)
Thuroldes gemæro
Thorold
Toma
Tomanworthig
Tomey
Ticcen
Ticnesfeld
Dickin
Tilgar
Tilgares dîc
Dilger
Tilluc
Tilluces leah
Tillick, Dilke
Tilmann
Tilmannes den
Tilman
Titferth
Titferthes geat
Titford
Upicen
Upicenes hlyw
Hopkin
Wahgen
Wahgenes gemæro
Wain
Wealden
Wealdenes weg
Walden
Wealder
Wealderes weg
Walter
Westan
Westanes treow
Weston
Wigheard
Wigheardes stapol
Wyard
Wighelm
Wighelmes land
Whigam
Wihtlac
Wihtlaces ford
Whitelock
Wihtric
Wihtricesham
Whitridge
Wilmund
Wilmundes leah
Williment
Willher
Willheres triow
Willer
Wicg
Wicgestan
Wigg
Uuigga
Wuiggangeat
Winagar
Winagares stapul
Winegar
Wileard
Wileardes hyrste
Willard
Wistan for Wigstan?
Wistanes gemæro
Whiston
Wulfsig
Wulfsiges croft
Wolsey
Wulfgar
Wulfgares gemæro
Woolgar
Wulfmer
Wulfmeres myln
Woolmer
Wulfric
Wulfrices gemæro
Woolrych
Wyner
Wyneres stig
Winer
Waring
Wæring wîc
Waring
Wifel
Wifelesham
Whipple
Woden40
Wodnesbeorg
Woodin?
Wydda
Wyddanbeorh
Widow
The above names are deduced entirely from the names of places found by Mr. Kemble in ancient charters. The list is not by any means an exhaustive one, as I have not included a number of names taken into account in Chap. IV., and as also the same personal name enters frequently into several place-names. With very few exceptions these names may be gathered to the roll of Teutonic name-stems, notwithstanding a little disguise in some of their forms, and a great, sometimes a rather confusing, diversity of spelling. I take names such as the above to be the representatives of the every-day names of men in Anglo-Saxon times, rather than the names which come before us in history and in historical documents. For it seems to me that a kind of fashion prevailed, and that while a set of names of a longer and more dignified character were in favour among the great, the mass of the people still, to a great extent, adhered to the shorter and more simple names which their fathers had borne before them. Thus, when we find an Æthelwold who was also called Mol, an Æthelmer who was also called Dodda, and a Queen Hrothwaru who was also called Bucge, I am disposed to take the simple names, which are such as the earlier settlers brought over with them, to have been the original names, and superseded by names more in accordance with the prevailing fashion. Valuable then as is the Liber Vitæ of Durham, as a continuous record of English names for many centuries, yet I am inclined to think that inasmuch as that the persons who come before us as benefactors to the shrine of St. Cuthbert may be taken to be as a general rule of the upper ranks of life, they do not afford so faithful a representation of the every-day names of Anglo-Saxons as do the little freeholders who lived and died in their country homes. And, moreover, these are, as it will be seen, more especially the kind of names which have been handed down from Anglo-Saxon times to the present day.
In connection with this subject, it may be of interest to present a list of existing names of places formed from an Anglo-Saxon personal name, as derived from the same ancient charters dealt with in the previous list. And in so doing I confine myself exclusively to the places of which the present names have been positively identified by Mr. Kemble. And in the first place I will take the place-names which consist simply of the name of a tribe or family unqualified by any local term whatever.
Name in Anglo-Saxon Charters
Present Name
Æfeningas
Avening
Gloucestershire
Angemeringum
Angmering
Sussex
Ascengas
Eashing
Surrey
Banesingas
Bensington
Oxfordshire
Bærlingas
Barling
Kent
Beadingum
Beden
Gloucestershire
Berecingas
Barking
Essex
Brahcingum
Braughin
Herts.
Byrhtlingas
Brightling
Sussex
Cerringes
Charing
Kent
Ciwingum
Chewing
Herts.
Culingas
Cooling
Kent
Cytringas
Kettering
Northampton
Diccelingas
Ditchling
Sussex
Geddingas
Yeading
Middlesex
Godelmingum
Godalming
Surrey
Hallingas
Halling
Kent
Herlinge
Harling
Norfolk
Horningga
Horning
Norfolk
Meallingas
Malling
Kent
Pæccingas
Patching
Sussex
Puningas
Poynings
Surrey
Readingan
Reading
Berkshire
Rodinges
Roothing
Essex
Stæningas
Steyning
Sussex
Swyrdhlincas
} Swarling
Kent
(Swyrdlingas)
Terringes
Tarring
Sussex
Terlinges
Terling
Essex
Totingas
Tooting
Surrey
Wellingum
Wellwyn
Herts.
Werhornas
Warehorne
Kent
Wihttringas
Wittering
Surrey
Uoccingas
Woking
Surrey
Wyrtingas
Worting
Hants.
I will now take the places which in a later and more settled time have been derived from the name of a single man, as representing his dwelling, his domain, or in not a few cases his grave.
Anglo-Saxon — Man’s Name
Place-Name
Present Name
Abba
Abbandun
Abingdon
Berks.
Ægel
{ Ægelesbyrig
Aylesbury
Bucks.
{ Æglesford
Aylesford
Kent
{ Ægeleswurth
Aylesworth
Nthmptn.
Agmod
Agmodesham
Agmondesham
Bucks.
Æsc
Æscesbyrig
Ashbury
Berks.
Æscmer
Æscmeres weorth
Ashmansworth
Hants.
Amber
{ Ambresbyrig
Amesbury
Wilts.
{ Ambresleah
Ombersley
Worc.
Ælfreding
Ælfredincgtun
Alfreton
Derby.
Badda
Baddanby
Badby
Nthmptn.
Badhelming
Badimyncgtun
Badminton
Glouc.
Baldher
Baldheresberg
Baltonsborough
Somerset.
Becca
Beccanleah
Beckley
Sussex.
Beda
Bedanford
Bedford
Beds.
Benna
Bennanham
Beenham
Berks.
Benning
Benningwurth
Bengworth
Worc.
Bledda
Bleddanhlæw
Bledlow
Bucks.
Blunt
Bluntesham
Bluntisham
Hunts.
Bodeca
Bodecanleah
Butleigh
Somerset.
Bodek
Bodekesham
Bottisham
Camb.
Bocga
Bocganora
Bognor
Sussex.
Bordel
Bordelestun
Burleston
Dorset.
Brand
Brandesburh
Bransbury
Hants.
Bregen
Bregnesford
Bransford
Worc.
Cada
Cadandun
Chadlington
Oxford.
Cæg
Cægeshô
Keysoe
Beds.
Calmund
Calmundes den
Calmsden
Glouc.
Ceadela
Ceadelanwurth
Chaddleworth
Berks.
Ceadel
Ceadeleshunt
Chadshunt
Warw.
Ceader
Ceadresleah
Chaseley
Worc.
Cendel
Cendeles funta
Chalfont
Bucks.
Celta
Celtenhom
Cheltenham
Glouc.
Ceol
Ceolesig
Cholsey
Berks.
Cippa
Cippenham
Chippenham
Wilts.
Ceolbalding
Ceolbaldinctun
Chilbolton
Hants.
Ceort
Ceortesege
Chertsey
Surrey
Cinhild (woman)
Cinildewyrth
Kenilworth
Warw.
Cissa
Cissanceaster
Chichester
Sussex.
Coda
Codanford
Codford
Wilts.
Codda
Coddanhrycg
Cotheridge
Worc.
Coling
Colingham
Collingham
Notts.
Crym
Crymesham
Crimsham
Sussex.
Croppa
Croppanthorn
Cropthorn
Worc.
Cumen
Cumenora
Cumnor
Berks.
Cungar
Cungaresbyrig
Congressbury
Somerset.
Cwichelm
Cwichelmes hlæw
Cuckamslow hill
Berks.
Cyneburging41
Cyneburgincton
Kemerton
Glouc.
Cynlaf
Kynleveden
Kelvedon
Essex.
Ketel (Danish)
Kitlebig
Kettleby
Linc.
Dæcca, or Dægga
Daccanhaam
Dagenham
Essex.
Dægel
Dæglesford
Daylesford
Worc.
Deôrlaf
Deorlafestun
Darlaston
Staffs.
Dodda
Doddanford
Dodford
Nthmptn.
Dodd
Doddesthorp
Dogsthorp
Nthmptn.
Dogod
Dogodeswel
Dowdswell
Glouc.
Domec
Domecesige
Dauntsey
Wilts.
Duceling
Duceling dun
Ducklington
Oxford.
Dunning
Dunnincland
Donyland
Essex.
Dideling
Didelingtun
Didlington
Dorset.
Eadric
Eadricestun
Edstone
Warw.
Eccing
Eccingtun
Eckington
Worc.
Eccle, or Egil
Eccleshale
Exhall
Warw.
Effing
Effingeham
Effingham
Surrey.
Erping
Erpingham
Erpingham
Norfolk.
Eof, or Eofa
Eofesham
Evesham
Worc.
Fecca
Feccanhom
Feckenham
Worc.
Flæda
Flædanburg
Fladbury
Worc.
Folc
Folcesstan
Folkstone
Kent.
Gidding
Giddincford
Gidding
Suffolk.
Gyseling
Gyselingham
Gislingham
Suffolk.
Godmer
Godmeresham
Godmersham
Kent.
Grim
Grimaston
Grimstone
Norfolk.
Gun or Gund
Gunthorpe
Gunthorp
Nthmptn.
Gyp
Gypeswich
Ipswich
Suffolk.
Hauek
Hauekestun
Hauxton
Camb.
Hæfar
Hæfaresham
Haversham
Bucks.
Hamela
Hamelendûn
Hambledon
Hants.
Hærigeard
Hærigeardesham
Harrietsham
Kent.
Haling
Halington
Hallington
Linc.
Hanekyn
Hanekynton
Hankerton
Wilts.
Hanning
Hanningtun
Hannington
Hants.
Hæda
Hædanham
Haddenham
Camb.
Helming
Helmyngton
Hemington
Nthmptn.
Help
Helpestonne
Helpstone
Nthmptn.
Hemming
Hemmingford
Hemingford Abbots
Hunts.
Hengest
{ Hengesteshricg
Henstridge
Somerset.
{ Hengestesige
Hinksey
Berks.
Hild
Hildesdûn
Hillersdon
Bucks.
Heorulf
Heorelfestun
Harleston
Staff.
Heorting
Heortingtun
Hardington
Somerset.
Honekyn
Honekynton
Hankerton
Wilts.
Honing
Honingtun
Honington
Linc.
Horning
{ Horningeseie
Horningsea
Camb.
{ Horningges hæth
Horningsheath
Suffolk
Hôd
Hôdesâc
Hodsoak
Worc.
Hunewald
Hunewaldesham
Windlesham
Surrey
Hunta
Huntandun
Huntingdon
Hants.
Hwiting
Hwitingtun
Whittington
Worc.
Kyld
Kyldesby
Kilsby
Nthmptn.
Laua
Lauanham
Lavenham
Suffolk
Lauing
Lauingtun
Barlavington
Sussex
Lamb (Danish?)
Lambehith
Lambeth
Lott
Lottisham
Lottisham
Somerset.
Mealdhelm
Mealdumesburg
Malmsbury
Wilts.
Myceld
Myceldefer
Mitcheldover
Hants.
Mûl
{ Mûleseige
Moulsey
Surrey
{ Mûlesham
Moulsham
Essex
Munda
Mundanham
Mundham
Sussex
Neteling
Netelingtun
Nettleton
Wilts.
Offa
Offanleah
Offley
Herts.
Orlaf
Orlafestun
Orleston
Derby.
Orm (Danish)
Ormisby
Ormsby
Norfolk
Osgot
Osgotbi
Osgodby
Linc.
Oshelming
Osmingtun
Osmington
Dorset
Oswald
Oswaldeshlaw
Oswaldslow
Worc.
Pading
Padingtun
Paddington
Parting
Partingtun
Patrington
Yorks.
Peda
Pedanhrycg
Petridge
Surrey
Peada
Peadanwurth
Padworth
Berks.
Peatting
Peattingtun
Pattingham
Salop
Pecga
Pecganham
Pagham
Sussex
Peden
Pednesham
Pensham
Worc.
Piterich
Piterichesham
Petersham
Worc.
Port
Portesham
Portisham
Dorset.
Raculf
Raculfcestre
Reculver
Kent
Remn42 for Raven
Remnesdun
Ramsden
Sussex
Rydemær, or Redmer
Rydemæreleah
Redmarley
Worc.
Riking
Rikinghal
Rickinghall
Suffolk
Ring
Ringestede
Ringstead
Norfolk
Rodda
Roddanbeorg
Rodborough
Glouc.
Rolf, for
Rolfestun
Rolleston
Staffs.
Rodulf
Rollesby
Rollesby
Norfolk
Sidel
Sidelesham
Sidlesham
Sussex
Sceaft
Sceaftesbirig
Shaftesbury
Dorset.
Secg
Secgesbearue
Sedgeberrow
Worc.
Snodd
Snoddesbyrig
Upton Snodsbury
Worc.
Snoding
Snodingland
Snodland
Worc.
Sumer
Sumeresham
Somersham
Hunts.
Sumerled (Danish)
Sumerledetun
Somerleyton
Suffolk
Sunna
Sunnandun
Sundon
Beds.
Swythbriht
Swythbrihtesweald
Sibbertswold
Kent
Swithreding
Swithrædingden
Surrenden
Kent
Sylc
Sylceswyrth
Silksworth
Durham
Tadmær
Tadmærtun
Tadmarton
Oxford.
Tæfing
Tæfingstoc
Tavistock
Devon.
Teotting
Teottingtun
Teddington
Wor.
Taling
Talingtun
Tallington
Linc.
Toda
Todanhom
Toddenham
Glouc.
Toma
Tomanworthig
Tamworth
Warw.
Theogen
Theogendethorp
Theddlethorp
Linc.
Thunar
Thunresfeld
Thundersfield
Surrey
Ticen
Ticnesfeld
Tichfield
Hants.
Tidhelming
Tidelminctun
Tidmington
Worc.
Tilling
Tillingham
Tillingham
Essex
Tocca
Toccanham
Tockenham
Wilts.
Toting
Totingtun
Tottington
Norfolk
Treding
{ Tredingtun
Tredington
Glouc.
{ Tredinctun
Tredington
Worc.
Trosting
Trostingtun
Troston
Suffolk
Tuding
Tudingtun
Teddington
Middlsx.
Tunweald
Tunwealdes stân
Tunstone
Glouc.
Turca
Turcanden
Turkdean
Glouc.
Twica
Tuicanham
Twickenham
Middlsx.
Thurgar (Danish)
Thurgartun
Thurgarton
Norfolk
Ufing
Ufinctun
Ovington
Hants.
Wacen
Uacenesfeld
Watchfield
Berks.
Watling
Uætlinctun
Watlington
Oxford.
Wassing
Wassingburg
Washingborough
Linc.
Wald
Waldeswel
Woldswell
Glouc.
Weard
Weardesbeorh
Warborough
Oxford.
Wifel
{ Wifeles cumb
Wiveliscomb
Somerset.
{ Wifelesford
Wilsford
Wilts.
Wilburg (Woman)
{ Wilburgeham
Wilbraham
Camb.
{ Wilburhtun
Wilburton
Camb.
Willer
Willerseia
Willersey
Glouc.
Weogern
Weogernacester
Worcester
Worc.
Wine
{ Uines hlau
Winslow
Bucks.
{ Wines hyl
Winshill
Derby.
Wrening
Wreningham
Wreningham
Norfolk
Werot
Uurotaham
Wrotham
Kent
Wulfwarding
Wulfweardigleâ
Wolverley
Worc.
Wendel, or Windel
Wendlesora, or Windlesora
Windsor
Berks.
The last name, Windsor, is an amusing instance of the older attempts at local etymology. First it was supposed, as being an exposed spot, to have taken its name from the “wind is sore;” then it was presumed that it must have been a ferry, and that the name arose from the constant cry of “wind us o’er” from those waiting to be ferried across. It was a great step in advance when the next etymologist referred to the ancient name and found it to be Windelsora, from ora, shore, (a contraction of ofer?) Still, the etymon he deduced therefrom of “winding shore” is one that could not be adopted without doing great violence to the word; whereas, without the change of a letter, we have Windels ore, “Windel’s shore,” most probably in the sense of landing-place. The name Windel forms several other place-names; it was common in ancient times, and it has been taken to mean Vandal. I refer to this more especially to illustrate the importance of taking men’s names into account in considering the origin of a place-name.
The above names are confined entirely, as I have before mentioned, to the places that have been positively identified by Mr. Kemble. And as these constitute but a small proportion of the whole number, the comparison will serve to give an idea of the very great extent to which place-names are formed from men’s names.
Footnotes
35 Cf. also Diormod, moneyer on Anglo-Saxon coins, minted at Canterbury. There is, however, an Irish Diarmaid which might in certain cases intermix, and whence we must take McDermott.
36 I take Ealdermann to be, as elsewhere noted, a corruption of Ealdmann.
37 Mr. Kemble, in default of finding Hygelac as a man’s name in Anglo-Saxon times, has taken the above place-name to be from the legendary hero of that name. The fact is, however, that Hygelac occurs no fewer than four times as an early man’s-name in the Liber Vitæ, so that there does not seem to be any reason whatever for looking upon it as anything else than the every-day name of an Anglo-Saxon.
38 From a similar origin is probably Shooter’s Hill, near London.
39 There is also an A.S. Sæbriht, from sæ, sea, whence Seabright might be derived.
40 Upon the whole I am inclined to think that Woden is here an Anglo-Saxon man’s name, though the traces of it in such use are but slight. There is a Richard Wodan in the Lib. Vit. about the 15th century. And Wotan occurs once as a man’s name in the Altdeutsches Namenbuch.
41 Or Cyneburg; see p. 71.
42 It seems clear from the names collated by German writers that ramn, remn, and ram in ancient names are contractions of raven. Compare the names of the ports, Soderhamn, Nyhamn, and Sandhamn, for, no doubt, Soderhaven, Nyhaven, and Sandhaven.