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.

Madworthy

Early-attested site in the Parish of Beaworthy

Historical Forms

  • Mad(d)eworth 1270,1285 Ass
  • Mad(d)ewrthy 1286 Ass
  • Madeford 1303 FA

Etymology

The pers. name Mada is not on independent record but is found in Madeley (St), earlier Madanlieg (BCS 1312), Madingley (PN C 67) and Madington (PN W 119). Cf. OGer  Mado (Förstemann PN 1108). It would be a regular pet- form for a Mǣð -name. Hence 'Mada 's farm,' v. worþig .