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.

Black Venn

Early-attested site in the Parish of East Stour

Historical Forms

  • la Blakeuenne Hy3 Cerne 14
  • Blakefenne 1247 For 1270 RH 1275 Glast 1338–40
  • Blakefen 1577 HaRO
  • Blacke Fenn 1609 LRMB

Etymology

Black Venn (ST 825236), la Blakeuenne Hy 3 (14) Cerne, Blakefenne 1247 (1270) For , 1275 RH (p), 1338–40 Glast, Blakefen 1577HaRO , Blacke Fenn 1609LRMB , 'dark-coloured fen', v. blæc (wk. obl. blacan ), fenn ; this place is mentioned in the bounds of the forest of Gillingham. The name is identical in origin with Blackven in Fontmell M. par. infra .