Warkworth
Major Settlement in the Parish of Warkworth
Historical Forms
- (Wauerc)uurt 1153 RegAntiquiss
- Wauercurt 1206 FF 1208 Cur 1219 FF t.Hy3 BM
- Wauencurt c.1156 RegAntiquiss 13th
- Wauercheurda c.1180 MertRec
- Wauerkeworth(e) 1219 WellsR 1220 ib
- Warcw(o)rth 1257 Ipm 1284 FA
- Warkewrthe 1274 Ipm
- Warkeworth 1321 Pat 1329 ADi 1347 Cl
- Warkworth 1316 FA
- Warecurthe
- Warcourth 1332 ADi
Etymology
This name has already been commented upon in PN D 349 (s. n. Warkleigh). The first element would seem to be a lost OE *wæferce , 'spider,' but if so, it should be noted that except possibly for Beauworth (Ha), Beowyrð BCS 731, this is the only example we know of worþ compounded with the name of a spider or any insect, and such a compound does not in itself seem very probable. Dr A. H. Smith suggests the possibility of a pers. name Wǣferce , derived from wǣfre , 'wavering, unsteady.'