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.

Whittlebury

Major Settlement in the Parish of Whittlebury

Historical Forms

  • Witlanbyrig c.930 Laws c.1100
  • Witleberia, Witlyberia 1185 RotDom 1369 Cl
  • Wittlebir 1255 For
  • Wyttlebiry 1269 Ch
  • Wytelbur(y) 1275 RH 1399 Cl
  • Wyttelbury 1307 Ch
  • Wittelbury 1326 Cl
  • Wittilbury 1369 Cl
  • Wittulbury 1391 Cl
  • Witteleburi 1281–9 Ipm
  • Wytelesbyry 1294 Ass
  • Whittlebury 1316 FA
  • Wutlebury 1320 Cl
  • Whittleberry 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

It is clear that the burh of Whittlebury and the wood of the neighbouring Whittlewood (supra 2) take their name from the same person. Only once in the spelling of each name do we find a trace of any form which suggests initial Hw -, so we are probably right in assuming a weak form Witela of the name Witel , which is on record. Cf. Whittlesey (PN BedsHu 191).