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.

Midlands

Early-attested site in the Parish of Tillingham

Historical Forms

  • Muthmershe, Muthwyche 13th WalthamA
  • the marsh of le Mouthwyk 1355 Cl
  • Mowyke 1448 MinAcct
  • Midlins 1768 M
  • Midlyng 1318–1499 FF
  • Mowick 1448 MinAcct

Etymology

Midlands is to be identified with Muthmershe , Muthwyche 13thWalthamA , the marsh of le Mouthwyk 1355 Cl, Mowyke 1448MinAcct , Midlins 1768 M. The modern name is manorial and due to the possessions here of the family of John and Roger Midlyng (1318–1499FF ). According to Morant (i, 370), the place was formerly called Mowick , “the dairy-farm by the estuary,” no doubt one of the outfalls on the coast. John Myddelynge was associated with Mowick in 1448 (MinAcct ).v. muþa , wic . Cf. Tillingham Grange infra 231.