English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Derwent

Major Settlement in the Parish of Derwent

Historical Forms

  • Derwent(e) John,1215,1250 Welbeck 1285 For
  • Derewent(e) 1285 For 1362 Ipm
  • Dorwent 1362 Ipm
  • Darwen 1505 DbAxlv
  • chap. 1577 Saxton 1610 Speed
  • Darwent, Darwend 1577 DbAi 1631 Portland

Etymology

The village takes its name from the river on which it formerly stood, v. Derwent, R. supra 5; it is now submerged in the Ladybower Reservoir.