Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wyrcesuuyrthe 835 BCS414 14th

• Wyrkes-, Wirkes-, Wirkis-, Wirkus-, -wurth(e), -wurt, -wrth, -word(e), -worth(e) p.1180 Okeover 1198–1203 RegAnt 1203 LibR 1203 ChR 1219 Fees

• Wirksworth(e) 1536 Lanc 1549 Woll

• Werchesuorde, Werchesworde 1086 DB

• Werchesorda 1100–9 RegAnt

• Werchesworda 1130 P

• Wercesw(o)rda 1154–79 Ch 1329 RegAnt c.1158

• Werkes-, Werkis-, Werkus-, -wurda, -wrða, -wrðe, -worðe, -word, -worth(e), -wurth(e) 1169,1174,1175,1198 P 1540 Woll

• Work(e)sworth(e), Workysworth(e), -worth(e) 1329 Ipm 1380 Woll 1446 BelCh 1631 StJ

• Wurkesworth(e), Wurkysworth(e), -worth(e) 1379 CPG 1508 DbCh

• Warkesworth 1404 Cl

• Worsworth 1421 Fine 1467 BelCh 1637 StJ

• Werkeword(a), Wercheword(a), Werchewrðe, Werchewrd(e), Werchewrda, Werchewurða, Werchewurð(e), Werchewurd(a) 1163 RegAnt 1175,1182 P 1230 et passim

• Werkword 1155 RBE

• Werchewarda 1146 RegAnt

• Warkewirth' 1196 Cur

• Wyrkewrde, Wirkewrde, Wirkewrth(e), Wirkewurde, Wirkeword', Wirkeworth(e) 1203 FF 1212 Fees 1230 P 1306 Ch

Etymology

'Enclosure of Weorc or Wyrc', v. worð . There is ample p.n. evidence for the existence of an OE  pers.n. Weorc , Wyrc , cf. Worksop (PN Nt 105–6), Low Worsall (PN NRY 173–4), Worsborough WRY.There is little need to consider seriously Anderson's suggestion (EHN 35) that the first element is OE  (ge)weorc 'fortification' in this p.n., for worð is very frequently combined with pers.ns. (cf. worð § 3).