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.

Slimbridge

Major Settlement in the Parish of Slimbridge

Historical Forms

  • Heslinbruge 1086 DB
  • Slimbrug(ia), Slymbrug(ia), Slymbrug(g)e c.1153,1189–1200 Berk 13 Glouc 1220 Fees 1234 Cl c.1240 Berk 1487 Pat
  • Slymbrig(ge), Slymbryg 1166 RBE 1221 Ass 1234 Cl 1505 Pat
  • Slymbregge 1438 Pat
  • Slymbrudge 1535 VE
  • Slymbridge 1535 VE 1727 PR
  • Slimbergge 1166 RBE
  • Slymburgge 1349 FF
  • Slinbrigg(a), Slynbrigg(a) 1200–10 Berk 1477 Ipm
  • Slynbrugg 1280 ib
  • Slumbrig', Slumbrug' 1221 Ass
  • Slembrigg(e) 1285 FA 1291 Tax 1307 Pat
  • Slympbrugg 1295 Episc
  • Slymebrigge 1493 Ipm

Etymology

'Bridge over the mud or muddy place', v. slīm 'slime, mud', brycg . It may be a bridge over one of the streams here or a 'hard track' (a sense brycg sometimes has) through a muddy spot. OE  slīm is found also in Slymwere in Ham (228supra ).