Meshaw
Major Settlement in the Parish of Meshaw
Historical Forms
- Mauessart 1086 DB
- Malessart 1175 P
- Madisheue 1212 Fees98
- Mausard(e) 1242 Fees759,783 1263,1288 Exon 1292 Ipm 1346 FA
- Meusard 1298 Ass
- Mausawe 1249 Ass
- Menaschaf' 1253 Ipm
- Meus(h)aue 1291 Tax 1303 FA
- Meushagh 1307 Cl 1316 FA 1334,1340 SR
- Meushathe 1342 Exon 1362 Ass
- Meuschate 1370 Exon
- Meweshawe 1468 IpmR
Etymology
This is probably a name of Norman-French origin from NFr mal-essart , 'bad (unfertile) clearing' (cf. Sart infra 634). At a later stage owing to vocalisation of the l and loss of final t the true meaning was obscured and the name associated with OE sceaga, 'shaw.'