Chinway Hill
Early-attested site in the Parish of Ottery St Mary
Historical Forms
- Chynewaydowne 1548 Moulton
- Chinneway 1607 Depositions
Etymology
The Chineway is the road which runs across the ridge here, and we may possibly have as the first element the word chine (OFr eschine ) denoting 'spine, backbone.' Mrs Rose-Troup notes that the road goes to Gittisham and that that Manor was held (TRE) by one Chinias , Chenias .The history of that pers. name is unknown; it probably had a hard k but it may be that it represents a name with initial Ch .