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.

Molesworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Molesworth

Historical Forms

  • Molesworde 1086 DB
  • Mulesw(u)rth 1208 FF 1227 Ass 1228,1231 FF 1279 RH 1285 FA
  • Moleswurth 1232 Cl
  • Mulesworth 1234 Cl 1316 FA
  • Mulisw(o)rth 1248 FF 1289 Cl
  • Mollesworth 1253 FF 1286 1327 Ch 1357 Cl 1359 Ipm
  • Mullesworth 1260 Ass 1303 SR 1325 FF 1327 SR 1330 Ipm 1334 FF 1386 Cl 1389 IpmR 1393 Cl 1428 FA 1429,1467 FF
  • Molesworth 1303,1428 FA
  • Moulisworthe 1324 BM
  • Mellesworth 1353 Cl 1358 Ipm
  • Mullysworth 1407 FF
  • Mowlesworth 1467 BM 1571 FF
  • Mowlesworth al. Mullesworth 1515 FF
  • Mulsworth 1535 VE
  • Moulsworth 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

'Mul's enclosure' v. worþ . It is evident that there was a long struggle between forms in which OE  Mūl underwent its natural shortening to Mull in the compound and those in which the long vowel was kept. The latter ultimately prevailed here, as also in Moulsford (Berks), Moulscombe (Sx), Molesey (Sr), Moulsham (Ess). A similar struggle took place with regard to Moulsoe (Bk).

Places in the same Parish

None