Clayworth
Major Settlement in the Parish of Clayworth
Historical Forms
- Clauorde 1086 DB
- Claworth c.1130 RegAntiq
- Clawurða 1156,1159 P
- Clawurda 1157,1158,1163 P
- Claworthe t.Hy2 RBE
- Clawrda 1162 P c.1200 Dane
- Claworth 1205 Cur 1672 RectorsBk
- Clauewrda 1163 CR
- Clauewurda 1164 ib
- Clauwurða 1176 P
- Clauworth 1299 Misc 1310–23 Ch 1316 FA 1343 Ass 1347 Ch
- Cloworde 1304 BM
- Cloworth 1322 FF
- Cleworth 1315 Ipm 1506 NtIpm
- Clayworthe 1317 Inqaqd
- Claweworth 1602 FF
Etymology
It is clear that the first element in this name is not clay but claw . This element in place-names is discussed s. n. Clawton (PN D 138). There it is suggested that OE clawu must have been sometimes used as a descriptive topographical term. The village of Clayworth stands on a low, curving hill which projects slightly into the flat grounds along the Idle, and it is possible that this hill may have been described as a 'claw.' If so, 'enclosure in the claw of land,' v. weorð .