Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wacenesfel 726–37 BCS155 c.1200

• Uuacenesfeld 821 c.1200 ib

• Wæthenesfeld 821 c.1240 ib

• (æt) Wæclesfeld, (ad) Weclesfeld 931 BCS675 c.1200

• (æt) Wæclesfeld 931 c.1240 ib

• Wakelesfeld 1187 P

• Wachenesfeld 1086 DB

• Wachenesfeld' 1198 HunterFines 1428 FA

• Wachennesfelde 1402 Fine

• Wechenesfeld c.1180 Abingdon c.1240 Fees 1220

• Wecenesfeld c.1200 ClaudiusCix

• Wechenesfelde 1295 SR

• Wachenefeld 1224–5 Ass 1327 SR

• Wachene(s)feld' 1242–3 Fees

• Watchyngfeld 1547 LRMB

• Watchingfeeld, Watchfeld 1585 Dep

• Watchfield alias Watchingfield 1731 PubLib

Etymology

The second el. is feld 'open land'. Skeat (42–3) and Stenton (23) both take the more correct form of the first el. to be Wæcles -. Stenton compares Watlington (O 94–5) and Wæclingaceaster (BdHu 5–7).Ekwall (DEPN) gives only the forms with Wacenes - etc., and takes the first el. to be a pers.n. Wæccin . The earliest forms in DEPN are from forged charters, however, and derivation from a pers.n. Wæcel , suggested by the both copies of the genuine charter of 931, is probably to be preferred. On the interchange of l , n , r in p.ns., v. IPN 106.Zachrisson there quotes the dialect form synable for syllable , which shows a development similar to that assumed here, i.e. dissimilation of l-l to n-l . Wæcel , though only recorded in p.ns., may be regarded as well-evidenced.

Prof. Löfvenberg points out that the development to Watch - differs from that to Watl - in Watlington and Watling Street, and he is therefore inclined to favour Ekwall's derivation from a pers.n. Wæccin . It seems clear from the forms, however, that Wæceles - was mostly replaced in this n. by Wæcenes - immediately after the Conquest, so that a different development might be expected. There has probably also been association with the words watch and watching .