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.

Dulwich

Early-attested site in the Parish of Camberwell

Historical Forms

  • Dilwihs 967 BCS1196 15th
  • Dilwich(e) 1127 Dugdv,96
  • Dilwiche 12th ib
  • Delewige 1199 ChR
  • Deluwyz, Dyluwyz (sic) 1276 Misc
  • Delewyssh' 1350 SR
  • Delewishe 1372 ib
  • Dilewisse 1210–12 RBE 1242 Fees
  • Dilewis 1226 FF
  • Dylewis 1241 Ass
  • Dylewysse 1263 Ass
  • Dyllewis 1259 Ass
  • Dillewisshe 1402 Ct
  • Dyllewyche 1431 Deed
  • Dilwysse 1261 FF
  • Dilewyssh(e) 1277 Misc
  • Dilewysh(e) 1279 QW 1294 Ass
  • Dylewix 1279 Ass
  • Dylewysh(e) 1279,1304 Ass 1316 FA
  • Dylewish 1311 FF
  • Dylewyche 1369 Deed
  • Est Dilewissh 1340 Deed
  • West Dilwysh 1344 FF
  • Suthdilewysshe 1354,1393 Deed 1552 SR
  • Dulwyche 1555 FF
  • Dullewyche t.Hy8 Ct
  • Dulli(d)ge 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

This is probably a compound of OE  dile , 'dill, anise,' a plant- name, and wisce, 'damp meadow.' Part of Dulwich lies low.Cf. Dilwick (PN BedsHu 45). The reason for the later change of vowel is obscure.