Muswell Hill
Early-attested site in the Parish of Piddington
Historical Forms
- Musewella c.1151 BC c.1444 Frid 1417
- Mosewelle 1271–2 For 1283 FF
- Mesewell 1362 Cl
- Muswell 1366 Cl
- Muzzel Hill 1797 Davis
Etymology
Muswell Hill takes name from Musewella c. 1151 (c. 1444) BCet freq with variant spellings Mussewell (a ), Mussewell ', Musewell (e ) to 1417 Frid, Mosewelle 1271–2For , 1283 FF, Mesewell 1362 Cl, Muswell 1366 Cl. It is Muzzel Hill 1797 Davis. Cf. Mousewelldyche c. 1294 (c. 1444) BC, Mowsewelle dich 1354–5 (1456) ForPer , which may be the place marked on the 6″ map as “The Wilderness Site of Supposed Roman Camp.” The name Muswell was discussed PN Bk 119, but the forms from BC are not given there. It means 'mossy spring,' from OE mēos and w(i)elle, and there are other examples of the same name PN Bk 177 and PN Mx 123–4.