Keyworth
Major Settlement in the Parish of Keyworth
Historical Forms
- Cauorde, Caworde 1086 DB
- Kaword(i)a 1178 Thurgarton
- Kaword c.1200 AD
- Kawurth' 1236 FF
- Caworth 1499 ib
- Kewurda t.Hy2 Dane
- Keworð 1217 ClR
- Kewurth' 1227 ClR
- Keworth 1230 Pat 1359 Ipm
- Keworth beyond Trent 1310 Ipm
- Kyeword 1200 ChR
- Keuworth 1282 FF 1327 SR
- Keuword Hynges 1335 Ass
- Keyworth 1482 FF 1535 VE
- Kayworth 1546 LP
Etymology
Professor Ekwall (DEPN) suggests that, though the early forms offer difficulties, this may be a compound of worþ and either OE cȳ , 'cows' or OE cǣg , which he suggests may have had the sense 'peg' or 'pole' as well as the recorded one of 'key.'The first suggestion can hardly be maintained in view of the forms now before us. OE cȳ could not give the series of -a - forms or, except in south-eastern England, the series of -e - forms. The only form which gives any support to the suggestion is the single form from the early Charter Rolls. With regard to cǣg , the difficulty is that the other names deriving from cǣg which are given for example in Ekwall's Dictionary , such as Keyford, Keyham, Keyingham, Keythorpe, show regularly initial Cai -, Kai -, Cay -, etc., never the vowel forms found in Keyworth. It is impossible therefore to accept either of these suggestions. What the right solution may be it is impossible to say.