Outwell
Major Settlement in the Parish of Outwell
Historical Forms
- Udewuwelle, Udewelle, Wodewelle c.1130 ChronRams 17th
- Witewelle 12th Lewes
- Vitwell versus Wisebech' 1251 Ch
- Wythewelle 1260 Rams
- Well(e) 1203 Cur 1285 Pat 1388 Cl 1438 Sewers
- Welles 1204 Cur
- Vtwell(e) 1221 ElyA 13th ElyG 1304
- Utwell 1267 Pat
- Vtwellys 13th Lewes
- Vtwelles c.1282 ib
- Outwell(e) 1324 et freq
- Owtewall 1556 Pat
- Wella, Utwella 1086 DB
Etymology
Outwell, partly in Norfolk (Wella , Utwella 1086 DB), once formed a whole with Upwell infra 288. Some of the forms in Welle (s ) given there may refer to this place. The earliest forms of this name are irreconcilable. One set would suggest OE wudu, alternating possibly with OScand viðr, 'wood,' the others suggest OE ūt (e ), 'outer,' probably because lower down stream, farther out towards the sea than Upwell. Cf. Wodebech 1324Ct (in Outwell).