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.

Orway Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Kentisbeare

Historical Forms

  • Orrawia 1086 DB(Exon)
  • Orrewai
  • Orwey c.1200 StNicholas
  • Horweie 1228 FF
  • Orreweie 1238 Ass
  • Orrewey 1267 Ass
  • Orewaye 1244 Ass

Etymology

This is a difficult name. Blomé (96) suggests a compound of OE  ora and weg, 'road along the bank.' This may be correct, but early and persistent double r is against it. *Orra is a possible pers. name as a pet-form of Ordric or Orric .