Great and Little Wolford
Major Settlement in the Parish of Wolford
Historical Forms
- Volwarde, Worwarde, Ulwarda, Ulware 1086 DB
- Wlfuuardia c.1140 BM
- Wlfward 1138–47 Stafford 1212 RBE
- Wulfward 1177 P
- Wlwarda 1170 Ch 1314 Cur 1201
- Wluuard 1199,1225 FF 1235 Fees
- Parva Wlward 1227 FF
- Wul(e)ward 1232 Cl 1266 Merton
- Magna, Parva Woluuarde 1247 SR
- Chirkewoleward 1262 Ass
- Cherchewolward 1272 ib
- Parva Wlward 1301 Ch
- Wolward 1310 Merton
- Wlfarde 1199 FF
- Wolfarde parva 1279 Nott
- Wlford 1199 FF
- Wolvord 1291 Tax
- Wolforde magna, Wolforde parva 1327 SR
- Wolford 1351 Pat
- Wulford 1372 IpmR
- Much Wolford 1518 Compton
- Wolford Mychell 1544 Merton
- Wolford al. Wolvord 1604 FF
- Greate Woollford 1695 Merton
- Wuleward 1213 Cur
- Wulewardia 1225 Bracton
- Wolewarth 1235 Fees
- Magna, Parva Wulleward 1242 ib
- Chirkewoleward 1262 Ass
- (parva) Wolleward(e) 1266 Merton 1272 Ass
- Wulleward 1301 Abbr
Etymology
The name is apparently a compound of OE wulf, 'wolf' and weard . The latter word must here have its sense of 'watching, protection,' or possibly 'ambuscade,' The name would refer to a spot where a watch was kept for wolves. For such a name we may compare the history of Wolfage (PN Nth 159). In support of its, use for watching purposes we may perhaps note the existence of relics of ancient entrenchments at Great Wolford.