Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• ~ Luterel 1227 Fees

• North ~ 1252 Fees 1276 RH 1389,1416 Nichols

• ~ North(e) 1276 RH l.13 CustRo 1502 MiscAccts 1541 MinAccts

• Old ~ 1737 Reeve 1798 Nichols

Etymology

Andreas Lutrel held the manor for the king c.1240 Nichols. As to the location of this deserted township in Owston, Nichols writes: 'The Mardefield which is within the parish of Owston, anciently called North Mardefield and now Old Mardefield is wholly depopulated; but the site of the village is visible in a close between Owston and Twyford, about a mile and a half from each, about a mile from South Mardefield, and the same distance from Burrow, nearly in a direct line.' (South Mardefield here is Marefield supra , while Burrow is Burrough on the Hill in Framland Hundred (v. Lei 2231)). As late as 1940, the site of Old Marefield was still clearly marked by earthworks in a field a little to the west of the minor road from Marefield to Burrough on the Hill.