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.

Great Roke

Early-attested site in the Parish of Witley

Historical Forms

  • Rokekouse, Rokelands 1586 Deed
  • Rooke 1690 ib
  • atte Roke 1389 VCHiii,66
  • at Roke 1450 Deed
  • atte Ok 1332 SR
  • atte Oke 1381 SR

Etymology

Great Roke (6″) is Rokekouse , Rokelands 1586Deed , Rooke 1690 ib., and was the home of Richard atte Roke (1389 VCH iii, 66), Walter at Roke (1450Deed ), and probably of Alice atte Ok (1332 SR), and Richard atte Oke (1381SR ). The latter form suggests a ME  atter oke , 'at the oak,' cf. Rook (PN D 270).