Winchbottom (Fm)
Early-attested site in the Parish of Chipping Wycombe
Historical Forms
- (de) la Wynche 1248 FF
Etymology
OE wincel , 'nook, corner,' is well-established as a topographical term; wince is only used of the 'winch' but it is clear that the words are allied and that as Skeat points out (Etymological Dictionary s.v. winch ) the root idea is that of something bent. Winchbottom is at the head of a little valley just where it makes a right-angled turn. This place has been commonly identified with Hanechedene (DB 236 b ). If this is correct the DB form, as may well be the case, is so corrupt that it is useless for etymological purposes.