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.

Hemswell

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hemswell

Historical Forms

  • Helmeswelle 1086 DB 1185–87 Dane 1281 QW 1316 Pat 1382 Peace 1386,1426 Cl
  • Helmeswella c1115 LS c1145 Dane
  • Helmeswell(e) 1185 Templar 1196 ChancR 1202 Ass 1204,1205 P 1211 1226 FF 1230–9 RAx 1234 FF 1235 Cl 1254 ValNor c1259 RAix 1272 Ass 1275 RH 1281,1287 Ipm 1293 Ass 1295 Ipm 1299 RAix 1300 Ipm 1529 Asw 1545–47 MinAcct
  • Helmswell 1576 LNQiii 1856 Asw
  • Elmeswella l12 Gilb 1407
  • Elmeswell' 1202 Ass
  • Hemmeswell 1401,1505 Pat 1519 DVi
  • Hemmyswell 1565 HMRepxiv
  • Hemeswell 1445 AASRxxix 1498 Asw 1501 Ipm 1513 LPi 1526 Sub 1576 LER
  • Hemyswell 1486–93 ECP 1535 VEiv 1546 LRCh
  • Hemswell 1532 LPv 1576 Saxton 1610 Speed
  • Hemswelle 1592 Asw
  • Hembeswell (sic) 1713 Asw

Etymology

'Helm's well, spring', v. wella . The first el. is the OE  pers.n. Helm .There are numerous springs in the parish, cf. Aisthorpe Springs and Spring Hills infra .