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.

Twiscombe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Whitestone

Historical Forms

  • Tywiscumb(e) 1238 Ass
  • Tywescomb 1244 Ass 1294 Ass
  • Tewescomb 1301 Ass
  • Tuwyscombe 1325 Oliver

Etymology

This name resembles Tuesley (Sr), Tiwesle DB, which designated a clearing sacred to the Saxon god Tiw. It is very doubtful, however, if a heathen name of this type could be found in Devon. Alternatively we might take Tiw as a short form of such an OE  pers. name as Teoweald , Teowulf .