Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ogre 1086 DB 1244 Ass 1267 Pat

• Oghre 1244 Ass

• Ogres 1210–2 RBE 1244 1268 Ass 1269 Ch 1348 Pat

• Gres, Ogris 1275 RH

• Ogeres 1288 Ass

• Oweres 1212 Fees

• Oares Moigne 1285 FA 1314 Hutch3

• Hore 1212 Fees

• Ore 1288 Ass 1320 FF 1327 SR 1332 Cl 1394 Pat 1408 ib

• Ore Moyne, Ogres or Owre Moygne 1430 1453 Weld1

• Our(e) 1219 Fees 1313 Pat

• Oure Moyngne 1314 Ipm

• Oure Moigne 1314 FF 1459 Weld1

• Overe 1350 Ipm

• Ovre Moigne 1375 IpmR

• Owre 1431 FA 1460 Weld1

• Owre Moygne 1486 Ipm 1575 Saxton

• Owre Moyne 1811 OS

• Liberty of Ower Moigne 1664 HTax

• Egres 1291 Tax 1428 FA

• Ocrise 1389 Pat

Etymology

This is a difficult name and at present no satisfactory explanation can be offered. Ekwall DEPN thinks it is probably ofer2 'slope, ridge': this is topographically suitable as the place lies at the N foot of a steep E-W ridge, but it is unlikely on phonetic grounds in view of the dominant -g - spellings among the early forms, although clearly the name has been associated with ofer 2 (or with ōfer 1 'river-bank') at an early date. The alternation of early forms with and without -s (perhaps a nom.pl. ending) is also noteworthy.

The manor was held by the family of Moigne (< OFr  moine 'monk') from the beginning of the 13th cent. (Radulfus Monachus 1210–2 RBE, 1212 Fees, William le Moyne 1244Ass , Fees, etc.), cf. Shipton Moyne Gl 1108 which according to Hutch3 1 455 was held by the same family. The first proper reference to Owermoigne liberty is 1664 HTax, but cf. Lib ' Willelmi le Moygne 1280Ass mentioned in connection with Owermoigne.