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.

Soilwell, Sulla

Early-attested site in the Parish of Lydney

Historical Forms

  • Solewalle 1282 For
  • Suleie 1221 Ass
  • Sulley als. Soylewell 1629 Inq
  • Soylwell 1727 Will

Etymology

Soilwell, Sulla, Solewalle 1282For , Suleie 1221Ass , Sulley als. Soylewell 1629 Inq, Soylwell 1727 Will. Two original p.ns. seem to be involved, both possibly from sol 'mud, wallowing place'; v. wella (Merc  wælla) 'well', lēah 'clearing'. The later form Soil - is probably due to the substitution or influence of l.ME  soyle (OFr  soil ) 'the muddy wallowing place of a wild-boar', 'a pool used as a refuge by a hunted animal' (NED s.v.).