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.

Merrow

Major Settlement in the Parish of Merrow

Historical Forms

  • Marewe 1185 BM 1215 ClR 1230 Cl 1327 Banco 1556 FF
  • Merewe 1187 P 1201 Cur 1212 Fees 1488 SR
  • Merrewe 1279 Ass
  • Merrow 1573 Musters
  • Merwe 1208 PatR 1241 Ass 1436 SR
  • Meruwe 1286 Winton
  • Merowe 1565 FF
  • Marwe 1293 Ipm
  • Marowe 1332 SR
  • Marrowe 1583 Recov

Etymology

To judge by the early forms this name might go back to OE  mearg , 'marrow, pith' (cf. Harrow from hearg), but it is difficult to see what the meaning of such a name could be, unless it refers to the richness of the land.

Places in the same Parish