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.

Wath

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hovingham

Historical Forms

  • Wad 1086 DB
  • Wath 1224–30 Fees
  • Hawade 1086 DB

Etymology

'The ford' v. vað . Wath stands at the point where the supposed Roman road (v. Appleton le Street 46supra ) crosses the stream now known as Wath Beck. There is also a lost place near here called

Hawade 1086 DB

Probably it was in this township (possibly in Wath Wood higher up the stream) and means 'high ford' from ON  hár 'high' and vað .

Places in the same Parish