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.

Hitchell Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cantley

Historical Forms

  • Echeles 12,1187,1210 Kirkst
  • Echeles boscum 1183–1200 YCh817 1190–1210 YCh645
  • Echelesweke 1187 Kirkst
  • Echelesflat 1210 ib
  • Ychilles 1548 WillY
  • Echells 1557 Surv
  • Eachells hedge 1620 PRCnt

Etymology

Hitchell Wood, Echeles 12, 1187, 1210 Kirkst, Echeles boscum 1183–1200 YCh 817, 1190–1210 YCh 645, Echelesweke 1187 Kirkst, Echelesflat 1210 ib, Ychilles 1548 WillY, Echells ('a spring woode most set with oke & hasel of th'age xx yeres') 1557Surv , Eachells hedge 1620 PRCnt.v. ēcels 'land added to an estate', a word typical of the north midlands (v. EPN i, 145).