Whittlesey Mere
Early-attested site in the Parish of Holme
Historical Forms
- Witlesmere 963–84 BCS c.1200 Rams 1146–53 Ass c.1350 1270
- Witelesmere a.1022 KCD c.1200 Thorney c.1150 c.1300–25
- Witelesmare 1086 DB
- Witlesmare 1145 Cottvii.3 1189 Ch 1332 FF 1223 BM 1248–56
- Witthelesmere 1146–53 Rams c.1350 Ass 1270
- Witlemare 1146–53 Rams c.1350
- Wittesmara 1189 Ch 1332
- Wytlesmer 1260 Ass
- Wittelysmere c.1480 BM
- Whittelsmere 1535 VE
- Wittlesmere 1585 FF
Etymology
'Witel's mere' v. mere . This pers. name is on record (Redin 139) and is a diminutive of the rare Wita . The same name is also found in Whittlesey just over the Cambridge border and there is no doubt that Witles-mere and Witles-ig were named from the same man. The modern form of Witlesig has led to a refashioning of Whittlesmere as Whittlesey Mere . The Wh - forms are entirely modern and do not justify Skeat's derivation from an otherwise unknown Whitel .