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.

Churchill

Major Settlement in the Parish of Churchill

Historical Forms

  • Cercelle 1086 DB c.1220–30 Frid c.1425
  • Cerzhulla 1168 P
  • Cerceill' 1220 Cl
  • Cershull' 1235–6 Fees
  • Sercellis 1246–7 Ass
  • Cerccell 1346 FA
  • Langechurchehull' 1140–1 Frid c.1425
  • Churchehull' c.1170–80 Frid c.1425 Frid 1480
  • Churchull c.1195 Frid c.1425 Cl 1385
  • Churechehulle 1284 FF
  • Churchill 1537 Frid
  • Lankechirchilla 1140–1 Frid c.1320
  • Chirchehull' c.1170–80 Frid c.1425 Frid 1375
  • Chirchell' c.1195 Frid c.1425 Cl 1378
  • Chirhull c.1195 Frid c.1425
  • Cherchell' 1199 Ch 1298 Ipm
  • Chercelle 1199 Frid c.1320
  • Cherchehulle 1247 FF 1387 Cl
  • Chershull' 1268 Ass
  • Cherchenhulle 1285 Ass
  • Churhull 1241 Frid c.1425
  • Churehull 1366 Ch
  • Churhell 1372 Frid c.1425
  • Certell 1278–9 RH
  • Certelle (bis), Certel(e) 1285 Ass
  • Chirkenhulle 1307 Winchcombe

Etymology

v. PN Wo 106–9. In this village the old church was not on the hill, but there is a round barrow which is practically on top of it.'Hill with a tumulus,' from British *crouco- and OE  hyll, would be a suitable etymology, but can only be accepted on the assumption that there is very early confusion of the first element with OE  cirice, 'church.' Lange -, Lanke - means 'long.'