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.

Sunhills

Early-attested site in the Parish of Ashwell

Historical Forms

  • Swynewelle 1327 Ct
  • Swynewellehul 1347 ib
  • Sonwell 1338 Pat
  • Sonewelle 1346 Ass
  • Swynewellehille, Sonwellhull, Swenewelle Quarre 1406 Ct
  • Sunwell 1509 FF

Etymology

Sunhills (TA ) is Swynewelle 1327Ct , Swynewellehul 1347 ib., Sonwell 1338 Pat, Sonewelle 1346Ass , Swynewellehille , Sonwellhull , Swenewelle Quarre 1406Ct , Sunwell 1509 FF. 'Swine well or spring,' v. wielle . Cf. Sunthorpe (PN ERY 16–7).