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.

Watford Bridge, Watford Fm & Watford Lane

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bradpole

Historical Forms

  • Wothford 13 ADVI
  • Watford 1613–14 DCMDeed
  • 'messuage called Watford' 1742 DCMDeed 1774 Hutch1 1811 OS
  • de Wothford 13 ADVI

Etymology

Watford Bridge, Watford Fm (SY 473949) & Watford Lane, Wothford n.d. (13) AD VI(p), Watford 1613–14DCMDeed , 'messuage called Watford '1742DCMDeed , 1774 Hutch1 (farm), 1811 OS, cf. Wadford Cowleaze , Wadford Hill & Wadford Orchd , Wadford 4 Acres , Wadford 9 Acres & Wadford 10 Acres , Wadford (s ) Plot 1844TA , 'the ford over R. Woth (the earlier name of R. Brit)', v. ford , cf. RNs., Wooth Grange just NNW from here in Netherbury par. infra , also Bingham's Fm and Camesworth in the same par., Watton Hill in this par. infra , and Watton in Symondsbury par. infra . The identification of Philip de Wothford in n.d. (13) AD VI (C 4834) with this place, first suggested by Fägersten 279–80, is no doubt correct, cf. also Robert de La Ford (e ) de Bradepol (e )e14, m14Brid , Simon atte Forde 1404Weld 2.

Places in the same Parish

Other OS name

Major Settlement