Dunkeswell
Major Settlement in the Parish of Dunkeswell
Historical Forms
- Doduceswilla 1086 DB(Exon)
- Doducheswelle
- Danekewell 1198 FF
- Dunekewill', Dunekyswill' 1221–30 Fees
- Dunekyswell 1227 Ch 1238 Ass
- Donekewelle 1242,1269 Exon
- Dunekeswell(a) 1219 Ass 1223 Bracton 1233 Cl 1238,1278 Ass
- Dunkeswell 1234 Fees399
- Donecwell 1265 Pat
- Donekyswille 1291 Tax
- Donkewell, Dunkewell 1269 Exon
Etymology
The first element is identical with that of Denes Brook (RN 119), which Ekwall takes to be either the OE pers. name Dunnoc , a pet-form of OE Dunn or possibly the common noun dunnock , 'hedge-sparrow,' found in Devon (EDD). He suggests as a further possible etymology a British derivative of the adjective for 'dark' found in W dwn , Irish donn .