Sparkwell
Early-attested site in the Parish of Staverton
Historical Forms
- spearcan wille 1050–72 Earle
- Sperchewilla 1086 DB
- Sperkeswell' 1204 Cur
- Sparkewill' 1242 Fees786
- Sparkawille juxta Hemston 1364 Ass
Etymology
This may be compared with Sparkwell supra 255 and Sparkford (So), Spercheforde DB, Sparkeford 1242 FF. The first element in these names is identical in form with OE spearca , 'spark,' but no connexion of sense seems possible and one can only suggest that the word spearca was early used as a pers. name of the nickname type. That the word might have some specific topographical sense, however, is suggested by the surname atte Sperke found in Dorset in 1333 (SR ). Cf. also Sparkaton supra 231, and Sparkhayne infra 531.