Swimbridge
Major Settlement in the Parish of Swimbridge
Historical Forms
- Birige 1086 DB
- Svimbrige 1225 Exon
- Swymbridge 1535 VE
- Swynbrigge 1274 Exon
- Swynbrug(ge) 1334 SR 1422 Exon
- Swinebregge 1286 Ass
- Sumbridge 1577 Saxton
- Som(e)bridge, Sonebridge 1628 Barum1,61
- Symbridge 1632 Wills
Etymology
The first element is apparently to be derived from the Sawin (OE Sǣwine ) who held the manor of Birige in 1086 (DB f. 194 b).If this is so, the stress accent must later have been shifted to the second syllable. Cf. Shrewton PN W 148, Wyrardisbury PN Bk 244; the name was then associated with the word 'swine,' common in p.n.'s. The bridge here is over a tributaryof the Taw.