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.

Maxey

Major Settlement in the Parish of Maxey

Historical Forms

  • Macuseige c.965 BCS1128 c.1200
  • Macusie, Macesige, Macusige c.970 BCS1130 c.1200
  • Makesia 1184 P 1428 FA
  • Machesia 1327 Ch
  • Maxey 1515 ADiv

Etymology

'Maccus ' island,' v. eg . Maccus is first recorded as the name of a Western earl who shared in the defeat of Eric Bloodaxe at Stainmoor in 950 (v. Roger of Wendover s. a .). It is next found as the name of a warrior fighting on the side of the English at the Battle of Maldon in 991. Cf. Maxwellheugh in Roxburghshire, for which Johnston, PN Scotland s. n. gives 12th cent, forms Macchuswel , Maccuswell from the book of Kelso. This was named from one Maccus .

Places in the same Parish