Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Kaerswurth 1227 FF

• Karesworthe, Keresworth iuxta Warham 1309 Ass

• Kisworthe 1469 IpmR

• Kesworth(e) 1575 Saxton c.1586 Tres 1591 Feth 1795 Boswell

• Cays(e)worth(e), Kays(e)worth(e) 1589–1593 Feth

• Keys(e)worth(e), Keisworth(e) 1592–1612 1618 CH 1811 OS

• Keisworth(e) alias Caysworth 1640 DCMDeed

Etymology

Keysworth Fm (SY 939891), Kaerswurth 1227 FF, Karesworthe , Keresworth iuxta Warham 1309Ass , Kisworthe 1469 IpmR, Kesworth (e )1575 Saxton, c. 1586 Tres, 1591Feth , 1795 Boswell, Cays (e )worth (e ), Kays (e )worth (e )1589–1593Feth , Keys (e )worth (e ), Keisworth (e )1592–1612ib , 1618CH , 1811 OS, Keisworth (e )alias Caysworth 1640DCMDeed , possibly 'enclosure by the river Carey ', or 'enclosure belonging to Carey', v. worð , Carey (Fm) supra ; Keysworth Fm stands on the N bank of R. Piddle or Trent some two miles downstream from Carey (Fm). However, as Professor Löfvenberg points out, the earliest forms suggest OE  cærse, cerse 'cress' as first el., with later loss of r possibly due to dissimilation, cf. DEPN s.n. Kesgrave Sf; 'cress enclosure' is therefore a more likely interpretation. The form Kaerswurth 1227 is tentatively identified with Charisworth in Charlton M. par. infra by Fägersten 111; for the present identification of Kaerswurth (said to be a member of Acford , i.e. Shillingstone par. infra ), cf. the tithing in Cranborne hundred listed as Shillingston cum Keysworth in Hutch3 3369, and the various members of the family of Skilling or Skyllyng involved in writs concerning Keysworth in 1309Ass .