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.

Nill Well

Early-attested site in the Parish of Papworth St Agnes

Historical Forms

  • Knille 1279 RH
  • Knoll 1281 Cl

Etymology

Nill Well. Cf. Nil Well Field c. 1840TA . It was by the home of Gilbert de Knille (1279 RH) and Richard de Knoll (1281 Cl). For cnyll as a mutated derivative of OE  cnoll cf. Knell (PN Sx 169), where this name is cited and the Herefordshire parallel Knill (DB Chenille ) noted.

Places in the same Parish