Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• terr' Drugon' 1306 ChrP 1372

• Drewes 1431 FA 1431 ChrP 15 Eton 1480 Hen1 1565

• Druwes 1447 MinAcct

• Drewez 1539 AOMB

• farm of Druce Eliz ChancP

• Druse, Druce farme 1641 Ilch

• Druce 1811 OS

Etymology

Druce Fm (SY 746953), terr ' Drugon '1306 (1372) ChrP , Drewes 1431 FA, 1431 (15) ChrP , 1480Eton , 1565Hen 1, Druwes 1447MinAcct , Drewez 1539AOMB , farm of Druce Eliz ChancP, Druse , Druce farme 1641Ilch , Druce 1811 OS, cf. in cultura biesteweye que dicitur Druesgore 1306 (1372) ChrP . A manorial name from the possessive form of the OFr , ME  pers.n. Dm , Drew from OG  Drogo , v. gāra . The Drew in question was probably the 13th cent. Drogo (Drew ) Bardolf mentioned under Bardolfeston supra ; Druce Fm lies only 1 mile W of Bardolfeston, and the early reference to Druesgore is in connection with that manor. However Fägersten 177 notes that land in Puddletown belonged to Al (u )ina uxor Drogonis de Monte Acuto in 1219, 1227 Fees, cf. also John Drewe 1463Ct mentioned in connection with land in Waterston infra .