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.

Forwood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Minchinhampton

Historical Forms

  • Forewud 1241 FF
  • Forewode 1270 Spillm Ric2,1438 Rent
  • Fordwode 1247–60 Spillm
  • Forwode 1287 Ass 1327 SR 1463 Rent 1542 LP

Etymology

Forwood, Forewud 1241FF , Forewode 1270 Spillm, Ric 2, 1438Rent , Fordwode 1247–60 Spillm, Forwode 1287Ass (p), 1327SR (p), 1463Rent , 1542 LP. 'The wood in front of the village' (v. fore , wudu ); the wood, long cleared, was below Minchinhampton on the south side.