Rewell Hill and Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of Arundel
Historical Forms
- forest of Roell 1271 Ipm
- la Ruele, Ruele 1275 MinAcct 1302 Ipm 1397 IpmR
- la Roule 1330 Ipm
Etymology
The first element in this name is clearly French in origin, and our choice lies between OFr roelle , 'little wheel' and ruelle , 'little road or path.' We do not know to what spot the name was originally applied but there is no reason to think there was any circular wood here such as alone would seem to justify the former etymology. On the other hand it may well have been that the original track which ran along the base of the present Rewell Hill, where we now have Fairmile Bottom, may have been called la ruelle .