Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• the Maiden Tower 1710 Sheaf339

Etymology

( 109–497528 ) , 1819 Orm2 , the Maiden Tower 1710Sheaf3 39 (8394) , an iron - age hill - fort , v. Varley 69 , v. mægden , castel(l) , a common fortification - name , ' unused, untaken castle-(-site) ' , v. Cu 255–6 . Local folklore offers the usual explanation that this place was defended by stratagem by the women of the district against Welsh raiders while the English men were away . Smith (WRY 471) suggests this type of p.n. , used of derelict fortifications , often Iron - Age hill - forts and the like , means ' oldfortification offering a privacy where maidens may indulge theirfancy ' .