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.

Chilworth

Early-attested site in the Parish of St Martha's

Historical Forms

  • Celeorde 1086 DB
  • Chelewurth 1167–77 Merton 1235 FF
  • Chelewrth(e) 1224 Bracton 1225 Ass
  • Cheleworth 1232 Cl 1272 Ass
  • Winton, Chelworth 1383 Ct
  • Chylworthe 1556 ADv.

Etymology

Chilworth is Celeorde 1086 DB, Chelewurth 1167–77 Merton, 1235 FF, Chelewrth (e )1224 Bracton, 1225Ass , Cheleworth 1232 Cl, 1272Ass , 1283 Winton , Chelworth 1383Ct , Chylworthe 1556 AD v. This is probably 'Cēola 's farm,' v. worþ . Alternatively, the first element might be OE  cēole , 'throat,' used in some topographical sense, the place lying in the narrow valley between St Martha's and the greensand ridge to the south.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement