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.

Wickwar

Major Settlement in the Parish of Wickwar

Historical Forms

  • Wichen 1086 DB
  • Whictenua (sic) 1221 Eyre
  • Wy(c)ke, Wike 1220 Fees c.1250 Berk 1281 Misc
  • Wikewarre, Wykewarre Hy3 BM 1274 FF 1278 Episc 1303 FA 1535 VE
  • Wykewar(e) 1248,1287 Ass 1291 Tax 1378 Works
  • Wykewauer 1269 Ipm
  • Warre Wyke 1285 Ch
  • Wikkaware 1316 FA
  • Wekewar(re) 1544,1574 FF
  • Weckware c.1560 Surv
  • Weakeware 1594 FF
  • Wickwar 1552 PR
  • Wickewarre 1605 GR340a

Etymology

Originally OE  (æt ) wīcum '(at) the dwellings', v. wīc . The affix -war is that of the Norman John la Warre , to whom the manor was confirmed by King John and whose family continued to hold it till the 15th century (c. 1250 Berk 418, 1281 Misc, 1327SR , 1410FF 291, 162, etc.); the surname is also in the f.n. Warhay (infra ).