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.

Kenilworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Kenilworth

Historical Forms

  • Chinewrde 1086 DB
  • Chenilleuurda, Cheningeuurda, Kinildewrda, Kiningewrda, Chenildeworda t.Hy1 Kenilworth
  • Chenildeworda t.Hy1 Ch 1314
  • Kiningwurde 1122 Kenilworth
  • Keningewurd' 1190 P
  • Chinedewurdie earlyHy2 Dane
  • Kineldewurdia t.Hy2 AD
  • Kineldewurth c.1160 AC
  • Kenildewurða 1164,1173 P
  • Kenildeworth' 1203 Cur
  • Kenildewurthe 1232 Ass
  • Chinildewurtha 1172 P
  • Chinildewrda t.Hy2 Ch 1314
  • Kinildewurtha 1172 P 1208,1224 FF
  • Kinelewurth t.Hy2 Ch 1235
  • Chenillewrda t.Hy2 BM
  • Kenelleworth 1195 P
  • Kenelewrde 1229 BM
  • Kenyl(l)wrth 1262 Ass 1284 FF
  • Kenileworth 1263 BM
  • Kenilleworth 1266 ib
  • Kenleworth 1297 Ipm
  • Kenelworth 1301 1459 Ch
  • Chenelingwurthe 1194 Cur
  • Kinelingwrth 1196 FF
  • Kivelingwurth 1235 Ch
  • Kenylingworth 1251 Fees
  • Kenelyngworth 1315 Ass
  • Kelingworth 1316 Ipm
  • Kenyngworth 1352 BPR
  • Kelyngworth 1420 Pat
  • Kyllingworth 1447 FF 1624 PCC
  • Kenelworth al. Killingworth 1598 Recov 1605 FF
  • Kennelworth, Killingworth (same entry) 1635 Sess
  • Killingworth al. Kenelmworth 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

'Farm of a woman named Cynehild ,' worþ . Some of the later forms would appear to have been influenced by Kilworth (Lei)olim Kivelingworth , Kilingworth , etc. The pers. name Cynehild must have been common in the West Midlands, for it is found in minor names Cynildewyrðe (KCD 670) in Whittington (Wo) and Cynelde weorðe (BCS 1298) in Cudley (Wo).Cf. Duignan 76s. n . It survived as Cinild in the 12th century (cf. Templars 34).