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.

Ponsworthy

Early-attested site in the Parish of Widdecombe in the Moor

Historical Forms

  • Pauntesford 1281 Ass
  • Pontesford(e) 1347 MinAcct
  • Pontisford(e) 1374 SR
  • Pountesford 1524 SR
  • Pamsforth 1544 DeedsEnrolled
  • Ponceford 1600 SR
  • Pounsford al. Pounsworthy 1674 Recov

Etymology

This name is probably identical with Ponsford in Cullompton infra 561. The first element is difficult; it may be the British word equivalent to W  pant , 'hollow.' Ponsworthy lies in a hollow opening out of the West Webburn valley and Ponsford in Cullompton is in a slight hollow. For the interchange of ford and worthy , v. Introd. xxxv. See further Ekwall RN 319.