Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ludecerce 1086 DB

• Ludecherch, Ludechirche 1350 Ipm 1354 Portland

• Ludchurch, Ludchirch(e) 1234 Fees 1303 Orig 1367 BelCh

• Lutchire(e)ch(e), Lutcherch(e), Lutchirch(e), Lutchyrch(e), Lutchurch(e) 1204,1205 P 1205 ChancR 1206,1207,1210 P 1212 Fees 1230 ChancR 1524 WollCh

• Luttchurch 1330,1334,1351,1411 RadCh

• Lotchirche 1236 FF

• Luchercha, Lucherch(e), Luchirch(e), Luchurch 1154–76 Ch 1377 BelCh Ed1 Ass 1306 RadCh 1325 Cor 1346 FA 1346

• Louechirch(e) 1269 Ass 1318 BelCh

• Louechirch(e) alias Lutchirch 1458 Portland

• Litlecherche 1197 P

• Lit(t)elchyrche 1258 FF

• Lit(t)elchirche 1275 Cl

• Lytchurch, Litchurch 1577 Saxton 1585 Potter 1610 Speed

• Leighchurch 1651 ParlSurv

Etymology

In spite of the forms Litlecherche etc, which are more numerous for the hundred name (supra 422), this can hardly be 'little church'.One must assume that such forms are due to popular etymology.Perhaps it is 'Luda's church', v. cirice , the modern form showing the common development of u to i before a dental, cf. Lydacott (PN D 145). Litchurch is now represented by Litchurch Lane (6″), cf. Lucchurch Lane (sic)1346 RadCh.