Rodmell
Major Settlement in the Parish of Rodmell
Historical Forms
- Ramelle, Redmelle 1086 DB
- Redmelde t.Wm2 Lewes 1091–1125 ADA14176
- Redmella 1121 ADA464
- Redemelde 1199 FF 1432 IpmR
- Redmild 1261 Ass
- Radmelde 1203 FF 1291 Tax 1296 SR
- Rademeld(e) 1307 Ipm 1439 IpmR
- Rademuld 1261 Ass
- Radmulde 1279 Ass
- Rademele 1315 ADiii
- Rademyld(e) 1336 Ipm 1397 IpmR
- Radmell 1638 InstPRO
- Radmill 1725 MarL
Etymology
Ekwall suggested (Anglia Beiblatt 35, 24) that this place and Redmile (Lei), DBRedmelde , took their names from OE rēada melde , 'red orach,' He now prefers OE mylde , an unrecorded derivative of mold , 'earth.' This would suit Rodmell for 'the soil of the arables…is noticeably red of hue' (Allcroft, Downland Pathways 16), but there is no red soil at Redmile. There was a Blakemilde in Pagham (1288Ass ) and another near Pulborough (1330 Ipm), which may contain the same element with a different adjective.