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.

Wadbrook

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hawkchurch

Historical Forms

  • Watebrok 1392 Pat
  • Wadbrook (Farm) 1769 DROMap 1811 OS
  • Wadbroke 1863 Hutch3

Etymology

Wadbrook (ST 325019), Watebrok 1392 Pat, Wadbrook (Farm )1769DROMap , 1811 OS, Wadbroke 1863 Hutch3, v. brōc , cf. Thomas atte Brouk (e )1327, 1332 SR, John atte Brouk (e )1400Ilch ; first el. uncertain since 'wet brook' from OE  wǣt would seem rather tautological (unless contrasting with a 'dry brook'), but cf. the OE  pers.n. *Wata assumed for Watnall Nt 147. The situation of Wadbrook close to a crossing of R. Axe (Axe Bridge 6″) invites the possibility that the first el. may be OE  wæd 'ford', but early spellings are needed to support this.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name

Major Settlement