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.

Roothill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Betchworth

Historical Forms

  • Atterotehelde 1291 Cl
  • atte Routehelde 1325 Ass
  • ate Rotihelde 1332 SR
  • Rotehulde 1366 Norfolk
  • Roothill 1731 Norfolk

Etymology

Roothill is Atterotehelde 1291 Cl, atte Routehelde 1325Ass , ate Rotihelde 1332 SR, Rotehulde 1366Norfolk (all p), Roothill 1731Norfolk . This is probably 'cheerful hill' from OE  rōt , 'cheerful,' and hielde , as suggested by Professor Ekwall. Cf. Merrils Bridge (PN Nt 93) which is Merieldebrig ' (1216 PatR), ponte Miriild (1225 Nottingham Bor Rec), ponte Murihill (13th Blyth Cartulary ), and goes back to OE  myrige hielde , 'pleasant slope.'