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.

Roswell Pits

Early-attested site in the Parish of Ely Trinity Detached

Etymology

Roswell Pits (6″). Cf. Roueshil 1221ElyA , Roueshil cum Stanpettes et Cleypettes 1251ElyCouch , 1277Ely , Roweshill 13thElyE , grauellpittes in Roushyll 1381Wren , Rossell 1548 CHuAS v, Rossehill 1604Atkyns , Rosshall 1674 Fen, Roslyn or Roswell Hill c. 1825 O.S., Roswell Hill pits 1830 BedL. The first element is probably a contraction of a personal name, either OE  Hrōþwulf or Norman Rolf . Cf. Rousham (O), DBRowesham , c. 1200 Bodl Rodolvesham and Rowsham (PN Bk 89–90).