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.

Broadway

Early-attested site in the Parish of Harwell

Historical Forms

  • Bradewe c.1270 RecOffCat
  • Brod(e)way 1612 Loder
  • Broadway, Broad Waie 1634 ib

Etymology

Broadway, Bradewe c. 1270RecOffCat , Brod (e )way 1612 Loder, Broadway , Broad Waie 1634 ib, v. brād , weg , identical with Broadway So and Wo. The Berks settlement lies at a crossroads at the S. end of Harwell village. The name probably refers to the width of the village street here rather than to either of the through roads.