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.

Sugarswell Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hook Norton

Etymology

Sugarswell Fm (6″). Cf. Shokerewellemore c. 1260 Os, Schokeres Welle c. 1270 Os, Sugerswell or Sugarswell Quarter 1709 Dickins, and Theroberewes Lake c. 1230Bodl . The same name occurs about five miles north in Shenington (v. PN Wa 285). It means 'robbers' spring or stream,' v. w(i)elle, the first element being OE  sceācere, which appears also in the minor names of Banbury and Watlington.mōr has been added to the first form. The name which occurs c.1230Bodl is evidently an alternative one, with lacu as second element, and the word robber , adopted from French, as the first.