Whitchurch
Major Settlement in the Parish of Whitchurch
Historical Forms
- Wicerce 1086 DB
- Whitechirche 1238 Ass
- Whitchirche 1290 Ch
- Whytecherch' 1242 Fees769
- Whitechurche juxta Tavystoke 1370 FF
Etymology
There are many places of this name in England. The meaning 'stone church,' suggested as a possibility in PN Bk 86, may be the correct one here. Mr Alexander points out that most Devon churches would probably have been built of wood in Saxon times except where granite from Dartmoor was available, as here. In the adjacent parish of Tavistock wood was plentiful.