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.

Frilford

Major Settlement in the Parish of Frilford

Historical Forms

  • Frieliford 1086 DB
  • Frieleford c.1200 ClaudiusCix
  • Frileford William Abingdon c.1240 c.1240 ObAcc 1396–7
  • Frigeleford a.1170 Abingdon c.1200
  • Frilleford' 1217 Cl 1241 Ass 1341 Cl
  • Fridleford', Fridelf' 1220 Fees
  • Frineford 1224–5 Ass
  • Frylesford 1298 Ipm 1316 FA
  • Fritleford 1327 SR
  • Frylford 1517 DInc

Etymology

'Friðela's ford'. The ford was presumably where a Roman road crosses the stream called Osse Ditch . This pers.n. is found also in friðelabyrig in the bounds of Hinksey, Seacourt and Wytham (BCS 1002, v. Pt 3), approximately 7 miles away, and the strong form Frðiel occurs in Frilsham (Pt 1246).