Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Rodewelle 1086 DB

• Roewella 1152–73 StWerb

• Rowella, Rowelle 1184 P 1292–6 Ipm

• Rouwell(e) 1210–12 RBE 1273 Ipm

• Rothewell(e) 1227 Ass 1238 Cl 1247 FF 1253 Ass 1439 ADv

• Rotewell 1251 Seld13

• Rothewell al. Rowwell 1274 Ipm

• Rothwell 1314 Ipm

• Royewell 1298 Pat

• Routhewell 1421 IpmR

• Roth(e)well al. Rowell 1568 FF 1678 DKRxl

• Rowell 1634 StJ 1712 Morton 1730 Poll

• atte Rothe 1272–7 Ct

• Rothstoke 1369 Ct

• la Rode 1290 FF

• Rothhide 1287 Ass

• Rothewellesike (c. 1200 Ashby)

• Rothewell (1404 Magd)

Etymology

The name Rothwell is also found in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, the general run of forms having an o from DB onwards, forms with ou being less common, and not found before the 13th cent. Rothwell (L) is on a band of red chalk and Morton speaks (40, 137–8) of the Red-land at Rothwell (Nth) due to the presence of ironstone, so that topographically there is much in favour of Lindkvist's suggestion (160) that these are hybrid compounds of OScand  rauðr , 'red,' and wielle , hence 'red spring.' Philologically, it is a little difficult however to understand the rarity of early forms in ou , when we compare the Rothwells with the early forms of such names as Rawcliffe, Roecliffe and Rockcliffe in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Professor Ekwall, in explanation of this and other difficult names in Roth -, such as Rothley (Lei) DBRodole , Surv Rodeleia , calls attention to a hitherto unnoted OE  roþ , 'clearing,' cognate with OFris  rothe , OHG  rod , ON  ruð . It is found in an OE Charter (BCS 737) in the form roðe . The place is associated with Sandon (Herts), and is to be identified with Roe Green and Wood in that parish (la Rode , Rodewode 1222 St Paul's DB, la Rothe 1307SR (p), le Rothewode , Rothegrene 1335Ct ). We have noted further parallels in Herts, viz. Roe End in Flamstead (atte Rothe 1272–7Ct ), Roestock in North Mimms (Rothstoke 1369Ct ), Roe Green and Roehyde in St Peters (la Rode 1290 FF, Rothhide 1287Ass ). Dr Reaney notes Rothend in Ashdon (Ess) DBRode , 1279 FF Rothe .Further we find a Rothewellesike (c. 1200Ashby ) in Moreton Pinkney, and a Rothewell (1404Magd ) in Brackley, which are in districts entirely free from Scandinavian influence.