Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Mersoda a1174 France 14 LodersC

• Merswude 1188 P 1201 ChancR 1205 1206 P 1275 Ipm

• Merswde 1201 P c.1220 Poul 13

• Merswod(e) Hy3 AddCh 1230 P 1254 FF 1431 ADII

• Mersswod(e) 1280 Ass 1376 AD

• Mereswud' 1200 FineR

• honore de Mereswrðe (sic) 1214 P

• Mersewude 1208 ChancR

• Mersewd(e) 1212 Fees lHy3 CottCh

• Mershwod(e) 1288 Ass 1293 Cl 1474 Pat

• Mershewode 1291 Fine c.1483 DCMDeed

• Mersewode 1303 FA

• Mershoude 1331 HarlCh

• Merchewode 1377,1404 Pat

• Mresshewode (sic) 1463–66 Weld2

• Merschood' 1488 ib

• Mershwood 1591 Pole

• Marshwode 1328 FF 1358 CarP 1462 IpmR

• Mars(s)hewod 1422,1547 Ct

• Mars(s)hewood(e) 1546 1571 Pole

• Marsche Woodde 1535–43 Leland

• Marshwoode alias Marshoode alias Marshton' 1576 Poul

• Marswood 1684 ib

• manor of Merssh(e)wod(e)' 1374 Cl

• Merswod(e) 1383 Cl

• Merssh(e)wod(e)Vaal 1383 Fine 1462 Pat

• Marshwodevale 1403 Fine 1558 Val

Etymology

'Wood in a marsh, marshy wood', v. mersc , wudu , cf. the early references to the 'forest' and 'chase' of Marshwood s.n. Forstershay infra . As Hutch3 2260 states: 'It takes its name from the marshy soil of the vale in which it lies, and to which it gives its name', v. Marshwood Vale infra . The form Mershwodevale , etc. is used of the manor as well as of the district. Hutch3 also notes (ib 265) that Marshwood lies 'in the lowest parts' of the Vale and that here 'the soil is a poor cold clay'. As for the marsh itself, cf. Nicholas de Marisco c.1220Poul , Hy 3CottCh (mentioned in connection with Marshwood), and the Marsh f.ns. infra .