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.

Maxfield

Early-attested site in the Parish of Guestling

Historical Forms

  • Mexefeld 12th Battle 1368 Add
  • Mexlefeud 12th Battle
  • Mexfeld 12th Battle 1535 VE
  • Maxfeld 1569 SRS20,294

Etymology

Maxfield is Mexefeld 12th Battle 42et freq to 1368Add , Mexlefeud 12th Battle 21, Mexfeld 12th Battle 21, 1535 VE, Maxfeld 1569 SRS 20, 294. Professor Ekwall, in view of the persistent early e , suggests the possibility of a compound of OE  meox , 'dung.' Dr Ritter suggests we may have the pers. name which seems to be found in Meocesdun (BCS 801). No certain solution is possible. The a in the modern form is clearly an irregular development.