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.

Setchel Fen

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cottenham

Historical Forms

  • Seghchawfen 1343 Colexliv
  • Sechall, Sedghall 1596 Christ's
  • Sechell 1604 Atkyns
  • Seechhill 1636 BedL
  • Sech Hill Fens 1637 ib
  • Sech Hills 1829 Wells

Etymology

Setchel Fen is Seghchawfen 1343Cole xliv, Sechall , Sedghall 1596Christ 's , Sechell 1604Atkyns , Seechhill 1636 BedL, Sech Hill Fens 1637 ib., Sech Hills 1829 Wells. This is apparently OE  secg and haga , i.e. 'sedge-enclosure,' with later confusion of hall and hill in the unstressed position. For haw > hall cf. PN Nth 173–4.