Odsey
Early-attested site in the Parish of Guilden Morden
Historical Forms
- Odeseie c.1150,c.1400 Wardon
- Odesey(e) 1296 Barnwell
- Odysey 1518 ECP
- Odesheia c.1190 Wardon
- Oddes(h)eye 1232 FF 1252 Wardon
- Odeseth(e) 1199 Wardon 1381 WMP
- Oddeseth(e) 1296 Barnwell 1322
Etymology
This is the place from which the Hertfordshire Hundred of Odsey took its name (PN Herts 150–1). Odsey lies in a hollow on the Icknield Way and this may be the sēað, 'pit, hole,' referred to. Near by is a gravel pit and an old chalk pit.'Odda 's hollow or pit,' cf. Orsett (PN Ess 165) and Roxeth (PN Mx 53–4). For the loss of th , v. IPN 111. It is noteworthy that the alternative forms in -seles found for the Hundred name do not occur here.