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.

Wayford Bridge, Wayford Farm, Wayford Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Stalham

Historical Forms

  • Ponte 1257 Ass
  • Wardeforthebrugge 1363 Seld
  • Wayford bridge 1829 NfT
  • Wafer bridge 1829 ib

Etymology

Wayford Bridge, Wayford Farm, Wayford Wood, Ponte 1257(p)Ass , Wardeforthebrugge 1363 Seld, Wayford bridge 1829 NfT, Wafer bridge 1829ib . The bridge apparently took the place of the ford across the river Ant. The earliest spelling suggests that the first component was originally OScand  varða, varði 'heap of stones' or OE  weard 'watch', also 'district', followed by ford .