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.

Wharfe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Clapham

Historical Forms

  • Warf 1224 Font
  • Qwarf(e) 1297 LS 1383 MinAcct
  • Qwerff' 1379 PT
  • Querf 1406 YI
  • Wharf(f)e 1596 PRClp 1599,1614 FF

Etymology

Wharfe [waːf], Warf 1224 Font, Qwarf (e )1297 LS (p), 1383MinAcct , Qwerff '1379 PT (p), Querf 1406 YI (p), Wharf (f )e 1596 PRClp, 1599, 1614 FF. This name has no connexion with that of the R. Wharfe (RNs.). It is from ON  hvarf or hverfi 'bend, nook, corner' and no doubt refers to the angle of land formed between Austwick Beck and Wharfe Gill; the hill-side above has a hollow curve.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name

Major Settlement