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.

Turningtree Bridge

Early-attested site in the Parish of Whittlesey

Historical Forms

  • Thurnyngtree, Thurningtree 1403 SewersA 1603 Survey
  • Turnyngtre 1446 Ct
  • bridge nere Turningtree gravills 1655 BLAcct
  • Turntree Bridge 1829 Wells

Etymology

Turningtree Bridge (6″) is Thurnyngtree , Thurningtree 1403SewersA , 1603Survey , Turnyngtre 1446Ct , bridge nere Turningtree gravills 1655BLAcct , Turntree Bridge 1829 Wells. Turning-tree is found in the 16th century as a name for the gallows (NED), but here its history must be different. Cf. “stopps and letts al. Turningtres and gravell wayes” (1563SewersD ), also le Turnyngtre apud calcetum de Stonteney 1490Elien . The tree or timber was evidently so called because it diverted or hindered the course of a stream.