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.

Ewelme

Major Settlement in the Parish of Ewelme

Historical Forms

  • Auuilma, Auuilme 1086 DB
  • Lav(v)elme, Lawelme 1086 DB
  • Ewelma c.1183 Os
  • Ewellm' Willelmi Wasce 1235–6 Fees
  • Eawelma 1185 Os
  • Hewelme 1185 Templars 1235–6 Fees
  • Hewell' 1235–6 Fees
  • Lewelme c.1192–6 Os 1284 Cl
  • Lewelm' Wace 1220 Fees
  • Lewellme, le Ewelme 1242–3 Fees
  • Ewelle 1235–6 Fees
  • Euwelme 1242–3 Fees
  • Ewemelme 1285 Ass

Etymology

OE  ǣw(i)elm, 'spring, source of a river': identical with Ewen (PN W 60–1). The forms with L - have the French definite article prefixed. The Wace family held one knight's fee in Ewelme (BC 9n.), and the surname is contained in the name of Westwood Manor Fm in Bix 67–8.