Winchelsea
Major Settlement in the Parish of Winchelsea
Historical Forms
- Wencles t.Edgar Coin
- Winceleseia 1130 P
- Winceleseie 12th Battle
- Winchenesel 1130,1197 France 1191 P earlyHy3 BM
- portum Vincenesium 12th Ord
- Winchelese(e) 1165 P 1342 ADvi
- Old Wynchelse 1321 Ch
- Winchelsey 1477 IpmR
- Wincelsea 1673 MarL
Etymology
The second element is clearly OE ea, 'stream.' The first element is probably a diminutive Wincel of the OE pers. name Winece (v. PN Bk 112 s. n. Winchendon). It should be borne in mind that this name was descriptive of 'Old' Winchelsea and not of its successor the 'New' Winchelsea on the hill of Higham infra .