Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Madressei, Madreisseig 1086 DB

• Madersey c.1540 L

• Mareseia 1176 P c.1200 Dane

• Mareseie 1203 Cur 1330 Ch

• Mariseia 1199 CartAnt

• Maressaya 1247 Ebor

• Maresheia 1307–23 Ch

• Mereseie, Meresee 1203 Cur

• Mereseye 1307–23,1330 Ch

• Mathersai 13th Blyth

• Mathersey(e) 1275 RH 1307–23 Ch 1316 FA 1325 Ipm

• Mathersay 1343 Ass

• Mathirsay 1449 Wills

• Marsey(e) 1267 Ebor 1307–23 Ch 1321 Pat

• Marsay 1280 Ass

• Mathereseye 1294,1330 Ass

• Mathereshey 1301 Ebor

• Marresey near Everton 1322 Cl

• Marresay 1340 Ass

• Mattersey al. Marsey 1539 LP t.Eliz ChancP 1690 Recov

Etymology

'Mǣðhere 's well-watered land,' v. eg . The place lies low by the Idle. The numerous early spellings Mares -, Meres - are due to Norman influence. This personal name is not on actual record but seems to be found in Madresfield (PN Wo 209–10), Methersham (PN Sx 58) and probably in Matson (PN Gl 107).Compounds of Mǣ ð- are found in OE  as in Mǣ ðhelm (LVD) and this particular one has its parallel in OGer  Mathheri (Förstemann PN 1110). As there is no trace of l in these place- names, it seems unnecessary with Ekwall (DEPN s. n. Mattersey) to postulate OE  *Mæþelhere . For Madresfield he postulates OE  *mǣþere , 'mower,' but this is an unlikely origin for the name of an ancient village.