Flexford
Early-attested site in the Parish of Ash
Historical Forms
- Flexwere in Asshe 1317 FF 1386 Ct
- Flexworthye 1595 SrWills
- Flexwood t.Jas1 Ct 1607 Norden
- Flaxford 1749 B
Etymology
Flexford is Flexwere in Asshe 1317 FF, 1386Ct , Flexewer , Flaxverd c. 1440, Flexworth t. ElizCt , Flexworthye 1595 SrWills, Flexwood t. Jas 1Ct , 1607Norden , Flaxford 1749 B.There is considerable confusion in the second element here. The original name would seem to have been 'flax-weir,' i.e. weir by which flax grows, v. wer and cf. on þa flexwaran (BCS 955) in the Pyrford Charter. Later, in the unstressed syllable, it was confused with worþ , and that again, as is often the case, with ford and wood . Cf. PN D Pt. I, xxxv, and Goldsworth infra 157.Flexford is in Ash parish and by a stream. About a mile to the south-east in Wanborough parish are East Flexford and Flexford House. These lie on the slope of the Downs away from any water and are probably later settlements.