Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Winchicelle 1086 DB

• Wiginghul c.1200 BM

• Wig(g)enhulle 1235 Fees 1285 Ass

• Wigenhull 1247 ib

• Wigeneshull 1285 ib

• Wygeneshul 1327 BM

• Wygginhull 1239 FF 1242 Fees

• Wyg(g)ynghull 1262 Ass 1316 FA 1359 FF

• Wyggynhull 1310 ADiii 1428 FA

• Wykinghull 1288 DeedsEnrolled

• Wygenchehull 1293 Ass

• Wygynchhill 1304 ib

• Wygyngyl 1364,1537 FF

• Wygengell 1521 ADiii

• Wegynghul 1359 BirmDeed

• Wygynshull(e) 1401 IpmR 1407 Cl

• Wigginshill 1606 FF

• Wygyngehulle 1411 ADiii

Etymology

The early forms of this name are difficult of interpretation, largely because the DB form is clearly corrupt. The most probable explanation is that it is from OE  Wicgingahyll , 'hill of the people of Wicga ' (v. ingas , hyll ), with the same development of inga to inch , inge which we find in Birmingham supra 34–6. At a later stage this underwent a process of corruption which ultimately yielded the present pseudo-possessive form.