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.

St Sidwells

Major Settlement in the Parish of Exeter St Sidwells

Historical Forms

  • Sidefullan hiwisc 1050–73 Earle
  • parochia Sanctae Satavole in Exon 1199 FF
  • Seynt Sidewelfe 1441 FF

Etymology

This parish takes its name from the virgin Saint Sidefulle , said to have been buried near Exeter. Her name was probably a significant coinage from OE  sidu , 'morality,' and full , hence 'virtuous one.' f was voiced to v and then by later popular etymology the final element of the name became well . (The change may have been largely phonetic, v. Introd. xxxv.) The hiwisc of the first reference (the fee of the later ones) probably denoted a piece of land dedicated to the service of the saint.

Places in the same Parish

None