Orwell Bury
Early-attested site in the Parish of Kelshall
Historical Forms
- Orduuelle 1086 DB
- Orewell(e) c.1200 Abbr 1208 Cur 1220 Fees 1313 Pat
- Horwelle 1204 FF
- Horewell(e) 1248,1287 Ass 1282 FF 1311 StPauls
- Horeswell 1251 ElyCouch
- Horwell Bury 1428 FA 1740 FF
- Horwel(l)bury, Har(t)welbury 1444–80 PastonLetters
Etymology
This is probably from OE hord-wiell , 'treasure spring,' which Ekwall (DEPN s. n. Hardwell) explains as 'sacrificial well' i.e. one into which articles of value were thrown; cf. hordwyllæ (BCS 491) now Hardwell (Berks), though the loss of d is difficult to explain. Cf. Hormead infra 179. For the addition of bury , v. burh and infra 243.