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.

Whichford

Major Settlement in the Parish of Whichford

Historical Forms

  • Wicford 1086 DB
  • Wikeford 1179 P
  • Wicheford(a) c.1130 BM 1202 P 1204 ClR 1279 Ipm 1316 FA
  • Wichford(a) 1221 Bracton
  • Wyc(c)heford(a) 1253 Ch 1549 Pat
  • Wichefort 1247 SR
  • Wucheford 1235 Fees
  • Whichford 1263 Pap
  • Whiccesford 1305 Pat
  • Whucheford 1327 SR
  • Whiccheford 1332 ib
  • Whecheford 1327 FF
  • Whitford 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

The rarity of forms with initial h in early records suggests that this consonant is intrusive. The first element is perhaps OE  wice, 'wych-elm.'