Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Cocheworth 1265 SAC6,218

• Cochefford 1535 FM

• Cottesford 1656 Rental

• Cotchford gate 1658 ParlSurv

• Quec(c)heworth 1274 Rental 1292 Ct 1321 Ipm

• Quotchford al. Cotchford al. Quetchworth 1627 SRS19,112

Etymology

This is probably a compound of the rare word queach , 'thicket' and worþ , hence 'enclosure by the thicket.' The word is of obscure origin (v. NED s. v .) and is found first as queche in 1307 (PN Wo 392). Initial q has caused rounding of the vowel, cf. quoth for queth , quath . Such a name in this woodland country is not unlikely, though compounds of worþ with a significant element are rare. Alternatively the first element might be OE  cwice , 'quitch' or 'couch' grass, but we should have expected ME  quicche and later couche .