Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wlforthe 1196 Oliver 1206 ClR

• Wilforcherch 1205 ChR

• Wlfereckirch' 1215 ChR

• Wulferetherth (sic) 1227 Oliver

• Wulferchirche 1237 Cl

• Wlfercherch' 1290 Ch

• Wullforde churche 1496 Oliver

• Woolford Church 1783 Recov

• Wolverchirche Downe 1545 CtAugm

• Woolverchurch Downe 1709 Recov

Etymology

The earliest form gives us a simple name for this place, viz. 'wolf-ford,' later expanded to 'wolf-ford church.' According to Polwhele “the name of Wolford church is sunk in that of Wolford Lodge. Near the house was anciently a chapel or church of which the walls partly remain.”