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.

Humblebee How

Early-attested site in the Parish of Sudeley

Historical Forms

  • Hamelihou 13 WinchLB
  • Homly hoo c.1540 AOMB 1575 TRMB
  • Humbly howe 1605 Comm
  • Hamly How 1830 M

Etymology

Humblebee How, 1771 M, Hamelihou 13 WinchLB, Homly hoo c. 1540AOMB , 1575TRMB , Humbly howe 1605Comm , Hamly How 1830 M, the name of the steep hillside below Belas Knap. 'Scarred hill, v. hamol , hōh ; medial -i - may stand for the OE  wk. ending -an - (cf. Phonol. § 49), and Hum - is a WMidl dial. form of Ham -, Hom - (ib § 6).