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.

Waithwith

Early-attested site in the Parish of Catterick

Historical Forms

  • Watewith 1204 Ass
  • Watewyth 1290 Baildon
  • Watwith 1206 Easby
  • Wathwith 1262 Easby
  • Waitwith 1562 FF 1577 Saxton

Etymology

Professor Ekwall suggests that the first element is ON  vátr , 'wet' and the second viðr, hence 'wet wood.' Cf. Weetwood (PN NbDu 210). The change from t to th is probably due to common confusion with the suffix thwaite .