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.

Swamstey Common

Early-attested site in the Parish of Clothall

Historical Forms

  • Qualmestowe 1335 StPauls
  • Quamstey hill 1638 Terrier
  • Swamsty Common c.1840 TA

Etymology

Swamstey Common (6″) is Qualmestowe 1335StPauls , Quamstey hill 1638 Terrier, Swamsty Common c. 1840TA . This is a compound of OE  cwealm , 'death, slaughter, pestilence, etc.' and stow , 'place.' cwealmstow is used in OE of a place of execution.