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.

Rowey

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pidley cum Fenton

Historical Forms

  • Rueyemere 1279 RH
  • Rowey(e) 1286 FF 1337 Cl 1387 FF 1410 ADii
  • Rounhey c.1350 Rams
  • Rohey 1512 FF
  • Rowhey al. Rowey 1584 FF

Etymology

Probably OE  rūgan ēge (dat.), 'rough island,' judging by its situation in the Fens (v. ruh , eg ). The h is the common inorganic h found before a second element beginning with a vowel.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement