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.

Fritwell

Major Settlement in the Parish of Fritwell

Historical Forms

  • Fertwelle 1086 DB
  • Fertewelle 1086 DB 1154 Eynsh
  • Fretwell(a) 1166,1203–6(bothc.1425) Frid
  • Frettwell 1231 FF
  • Fretewll 1166 Frid c.1310 FA 1428
  • Frettewell c.1170–80 Frid c.1425 P 1241–2
  • Fret(t)eswell' 1200 Cur
  • Fredewell 1201 Cur
  • Frethewelle c.1210 Eynsh
  • Fretthewel' c.1280 Os
  • Fritewell' 1225–6 WellsR 1235–6,1242–3 Fees
  • Frittewelle c.1230 Os
  • Frytewelle 1390 Cl
  • Frytewell 1537 Frid
  • Frutewelle c.1230 Os
  • Frutewell 1278–9 RH 1316 Ch
  • Frytwell 1526 LS
  • Frightwell 1580 AD

Etymology

Probably, as suggested in Alexander, 'wishing well,' from OE  freht , fyrht , firht , 'augury,' and w(i)elle. There are a number of springs in the vicinity.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site