Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Swelle 706 BCS118 16th

• æt Suella major 714 16th ib

• æt Suuelle 1055 KCD801

• Sv(v)elle 1086 DB

• Su(u)ella 12 Tewk75a

• Suelle 1221 Ass

• Suwell' 1221 Ass

• Sowell' 1291 Tax

• Sewell 1584 Comm

• Swell(e) 1221 Ass 1248 FF 1251 Ch 1255 FF 1261 Ipm 1597 Talbot

• Over(e) Swell(e) 1274 RH 1325 FF 1336 BM 1536 Rent

• Swell(e) Abbatis 1221 Ass

• Nether(e) Swell(e) 1274 RH 1287 1301 Ipm 1575 FF

• Magna Swell(e), Parua Swell(e) 1287 Ass

• Swell(e) Superior, Swell(e) Inferior 1291 Tax 1327 SR 1535 VE

• Upper Swell(e) 1611 FF 1692 PR

• Lower Swell(e) 1699 ib

Etymology

From OE  (ge )swell or *swelle 'swelling', which Ekwall discusses in Studies 151. The word swell is not independently recorded in the sense 'rising ground' until the 18th century (NED s.v.), but p.ns. like this Swell and Swell (So) demand such a topographical extension of meaning. The latter place is at a point where the land begins to rise rapidly to a long ridge; Lower Swell and Upper Swell are similarly situated where the ground begins to rise steeply to Swell Hill. Lower Swell is a little way from the R. Dikler and Upper Swell is on the river but further up its course. Upper Swell is also distinguished as Lat  magna , major , and Lower Swell as Lat  parva and Abbat (the latter from the Abbot of Hailes).