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.

Newent

Major Settlement in the Parish of Newent

Historical Forms

  • Noent 1086 DB 1240 Monast
  • Nowent 1167 P
  • Nouwent 1199 FF
  • Neowent 1221 Ass
  • Neouẽt 1221 ib
  • Newent 1221 Ass 1228 Cl c.1270,c.1275 For 1276 RH 1284 Episc 1291 Tax 1688 PR
  • Nuuant' 1248 Ass
  • Neuewent 1336 Cl
  • Neuwent 1248 Ass 1253 Ch 1327 MinAcct
  • Nywent 1298 Episc
  • Nywent Foreyn 1320 Ass
  • Newant 1432 Pat, Newent
  • Newhaund als. Newaunt 1508 ib

Etymology

Ekwall has suggested that Newent is a Brit  p.n. corresponding to Gaulish Noviantum , Novientum (Holder), the source of the common Fr  p.n. Nogent , denoting 'new place'. The affix Foreyn refers to the parts of the parish outside the borough.