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.

Millbay

Early-attested site in the Parish of Plymouth

Historical Forms

  • the Mylle Bay c.1550 Leland
  • Sourepol 1368 Oliver
  • Sourepolemylle 1373 Worth

Etymology

The spot was earlier known as Surepola (m )13th, mill de pourepolemulle (sic)1387 HMC, ix, 274, Sourepol 1368 Oliver, Sourepolemylle 1373 Worth. This would mean literally 'sour pool,' perhaps because its water was brackish.