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.

Heworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Osbaldwick

Historical Forms

  • Heuuorde, Heuuarde 1086 DB
  • Heword 1177 HCY
  • Hewrd(e) c.1148–59 YCh 1294,1335 Ch 1295 For
  • Hewrth(e) 1244 Ass
  • Heworth(e) 1285 KI

Etymology

v. heah , worð . Heworth is on low-lying ground and the meaning must, therefore, be 'chief enclosure' rather than 'high, lofty enclosure.' Cf. the common use of High in High Street.There are other instances of OE  hēah used in this sense, as in Broad Hinton (Berks). Heworth is the only name in the North Riding containing the element worþ. v. Introd. xviii.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Major Settlement