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.

Mow Fen

Early-attested site in the Parish of Littleport

Historical Forms

  • Littleport mowefen voc. mourefen 1660 Dugd
  • Mow fenn 1706 Moore

Etymology

Mow Fen is Littleport mowefen voc. mourefen 1660Dugd , Mow fenn 1706 Moore. Cf. “Mow Fens or Lamas Grounds consisting of the Lots or doles of divers persons…out of the mowing grounds” 1637BedL ii, 264 (Wicken), Draiton Mowffen 1636 BedL, le Mowe fenne 1661Ct (Upwell).