Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• molend' voc' Semmille 1411 Ass

• Ceemulle 1461–85 ECP

• Ceemille 1484 Cl

• Say-Mills 1779 Rudder

Etymology

Sea Mills, 1830 M, molend ' voc ' Semmille 1411Ass , Ceemulle 1461–85 ECP, Ceemille 1484 Cl, Say -Mills 1779 Rudder 802. The modern form suggests 'mill near the sea', v. sǣ 'sea, pool', myln ; Sea Mills is by the R. Trym ⅓ mile from its confluence with the Avon (which is tidal here); it is, however, possible in view of the spellings that this was a mill for the manufacture of saye , a fine serge-like cloth of wool and silk (NED s.v.); on cloth-mills in Gl v. VCH ii, 152–7.