The Carvens, Carvens Meadow
Early-attested site in the Parish of Wendlebury
Historical Forms
- Gurefen c.1200 AOMB c.1215–30,1270 AD 1412 Blo
- Gurefennes c.1250 AD
- Gurebeyn 1432–8 Rental
- Garfyne alias Garven 1587 Blo
- Garfine alias Garven 1666 Bodl
Etymology
The Carvens, Carvens Meadow (1801EnclA ) takes name from Gurefen c. 1200AOMB , c. 1215–30, 1270 AD, 1412 Blo, Gurefennes c. 1250 AD, Gurebeyn 1432–8Rental , Garfyne alias Garven 1587 Blo, Garfine alias Garven 1666Bodl , v. fenn . The first element is OE gyr (u ), 'mud, marsh': Ælfric (Grammar, Zupitza, 60, 10) gives gyrwe fen for palus , and the 12th-century MS has gurufen . Some of the forms occur under Bicester, so that it was evidently quite an extensive marsh. Cf. Gorfen Furlong (340).