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.

Worme

Early-attested site in the Parish of Eastbourne

Historical Forms

  • a valley called Worme 1223 CplM
  • Wormey 1389 15th GT
  • Worme 1576 GT
  • Wyremenie 1244 LibB
  • Wormeny 1325 GT

Etymology

Worme (lost) near the Borough is a valley called Worme (1223CplM ), Wormey (1389 ib, 15thGT ), Worme (1576GT ). It looks as if this might possibly contain the Celtic river-name Worm (v. RN 471) denoting 'dark' stream but no certainty is possible.There was also a piece of meadow called Wyremenie 1244LibB , Wormeny 1325GT in another part of Eastbourne, also of obscure origin.