Whitchurch Down
Early-attested site in the Parish of Whitchurch
Historical Forms
- Werydon 1488 Rental 1613 Recov
- Werydown 1518–29 ECP5,558
- Whitchurch downe 1653 Recov
- Whitchurch Down oth. Werry Down 1803 Recov
Etymology
The forms are too late for certainty, but wer (r )y may go back to OE wearg , 'outlaw, criminal,' and the name refer to a hill on which a gibbet was erected. Cf. Wreighill (PN NbDu 220).