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.

Willingford

Early-attested site in the Parish of Brightling

Historical Forms

  • Wynhamford 1315 BM 1474 Pens
  • Wynchamford mill 1535 VE
  • mill of Winham 1241 Pens

Etymology

Willingford is apparently the same as Wynhamford 1315 BM, 1474 Pens, Wynchamford mill 1535 VE and is to be associated with mill of Winham 1241 Pens and the family of Wynham of Burwash of whom several members are mentioned in 1296 SR.Probably 'Wina's hamm.' The later form would seem to be a wanton corruption of the original one.