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.

Bannawell

Early-attested site in the Parish of Tavistock and Tavistock Hamlets

Historical Forms

  • Banawylle 1337 ADiii

Etymology

Probably 'Bana 's spring,' v. wielle , though bananwylle , 'slayer's spring,' or even bānawylle , 'spring of the bones,' is just possible. Bannawell is now the name of a street in Tavistock. Cf. Banwell (So), æt Bananwylle BCS 612.