Outerness Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of Conington
Historical Forms
- Uttyrness 1483 Ct
- Le Uttyrness 1498 Ct
- Utternesse Estate Map c.1600,1772 RentBook
Etymology
'Outer-ness' v. næss , ME utter being the earlier comparative form of out , now replaced by outer . The reference is to a clay promontory jutting out into the Fens. It is probably the 'outer' ness in contrast to La Nesse mentioned in 1279 (RH), which Mr Heathcote identifies with the site of Bruce's Castle.