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.

Woolford's Mill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Thornbury

Historical Forms

  • Wollesford' 1287 Ass
  • Wolford(e) 1295 Ipm 1303 Asht 1601 FF
  • Wolford(e) 1314 Ipm
  • molend' apud Wolford(e) 1322 Ext
  • Wolfurd 1497 AOMB
  • Woleford 1303 FA
  • Wolfurdis mylle 1497 AOMB

Etymology

Woolford's Mill, Wollesford '1287Ass , Wolford (e )1295 Ipm, 1303Asht 6et freq to 1601FF , Wolford (e ) ('water-mill') 1314 Ipm, molend ' apud Wolford (e )1322Ext , Wolfurd 1497AOMB , Woleford 1303 FA, Wolfurdis mylle 1497AOMB . Probably 'Wulf's or Wulfa's ford', v. ford . OE  wulf 'wolf' and the pers.ns. formed from it usually lose -f -, especially before labials.