Thelsford Priory
Early-attested site in the Parish of Charlecote
Historical Forms
- Theulisford c.1205 BM 1240 ADii
- Theveleford 1227 Pat
- Theulesford 1298 ADi 1327 SR 1337 Pat
- Tevelesford 1361 ADi
- Teflesford 1221 FF c.1279 ADi 1330 Monast
- Tefelisford early13th CartMisc
- Tivelesford 1247 Ass
- Telesford 1279 Nott 1332 SR
- Tellesford 1473 ADi
- Thelisford 1498 PCC
- Thellysford 1510 ADiii
- Thellesford t.Hy8 Rental
- Thelesford 1535 VE
- Thellesford al. Thellsford 1543 LP
Etymology
This is a difficult name. It is tempting to try to connect the first element with OE þȳfel , 'clump, bush,' but that would in ME give forms Thuvel -, Thivel - rather than Thevel -, quite apart from the difficulty of a genitival compound of that type. More probably we have a pers. name of nickname type, a diminutive of the common word þēof , 'thief.' For a similar derivative with a different diminutive suffix cf. OE þeofecan hyl (BCS 1237) in Worcestershire and OGer Thiebiko (Förstemann PN 1409). See also PN Wo 247 n. 1 on DB Teulesberge .