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.

Snossells

Early-attested site in the Parish of Peterborough

Historical Forms

  • Snorishil 1404 Fraunc
  • Snoryshylls 1500 Compotus
  • Snorehill(s) 1542 Rental
  • Snoshills, Snossells 1811 EnclA

Etymology

Snossells (lost) is Snorishil 1404Fraunc , Snoryshylls 1500Compotus , Snorehill (s )1542Rental , Snoshills , Snossells 1811EnclA . This p.n. seems to involve the same pers. name which is found in Snoring and Snarehill (Nf). On this name cf. Ekwall, PN in -ing 81. Ekwall suggests that it is a lost OE  name *Snār (a ), allied to snearh , 'swift.' That adjective may be found in Snarebroc in Brixworth (13th AD iii).