Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• le Wakegreue (in campo de Baucwell) Hy3,c.1300,Ed2,Ed3 BelCh

Etymology

Wakegreave (lost), le Wakegreue (in campo de Baucwell )Hy 3, c. 1300, Ed 2, Ed 3BelCh , a name discussed by Ekwall (Studies 190). There is little doubt that the forms are -greue and not -grene , as in one of the transcripts (DbA xv); this is supported by the situation of the place near Cowden, as indicated in the charters. Ekwall would take this name as almost certain evidence of the use of ME  wake 'festival' as first element in certain p.ns. Hence 'grove where the local festival or wakes were held', v. wacu , grǣfe . Cf. Wakebridge infra 438.