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.

Swires Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Capel

Historical Forms

  • le Swere 1380 Norfolk
  • Sweare 1550 LRMB

Etymology

Swires Fm is le Swere 1380Norfolk , Sweare 1550LRMB . This is OE  swēora , 'neck, col.' Here, as in Swear Fm (PN Sx 107), it seems to be used of a projecting ridge, with the land falling away on three sides. Cf. also la Swere (Limpsfield) 1312AOMB , le Swere (Thorpe) c. 1330 Turner.