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.

Whydown Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bexhill

Historical Forms

  • White Down 1706 DKR41,284
  • swinhamme 772 BCS208 c.1300
  • Swinham 1139–99 Battle
  • Swynham late13th BM 1296 SR
  • Swynhamme 1307 BattleCust
  • Swyneshambrigge 1455 Pat

Etymology

Whydown Fm may be identical with White Down (1706 DKR 41, 284). It probably marks the site of the lost place swinhamme 772 (c. 1300) BCS 208, Swinham 1139–99 Battle 42(p), Swynham late 13th BM, 1296 SR (p), Swynhamme 1307 Battle Cust (p). The earlier name means 'pig–enclosure,' v. swin , hamm .

Whydown Bridge (6″) is Swyneshambrigge 1455 Pat.