Fairwood Fields
Early-attested site in the Parish of Well
Historical Forms
- Fagherwall 1257 YD
- Fagherwald(e) 1285 KI 1319 RichReg
- Faverwald c.1300 Dugdiii.562
- Fayerwald 1349 Dugdvii.921
- Fayrewald 1410 RichReg
Etymology
'Fair woodland' v. w(e)ald. The first element is from ON fagr 'fair' (which with ME vocalisation of -g - gave the form Faver -), but it has been replaced by ME fair (from OE fæger); for the development of OE wald to wood cf. the local pronunciation of Easingwold 24supra .