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.

Withgill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Great Mitton

Historical Forms

  • Withikill 1226 FF
  • Old Wihekul 1258 YI
  • Wythichil 1260 Ass
  • Wythekill 1285 KI
  • Whithegill' 1423 MinAcct
  • Withgill 1587 WillY

Etymology

Withgill, Withikill 1226 FF, Old Wihekul 1258 YI, Wythichil 1260Ass , Wythekill 1285 KI, Whithegill '1423MinAcct , Withgill 1587 WillY. The place stands on the top of a ridge above the R. Hodder.Ekwall is therefore correct in deriving the name from OE  wīðig, ON  víðir 'willow' and ON  kili , dat.sg. of kjǫlr 'a ridge' (later replaced by the common gil 'ravine').

Places in the same Parish

Other OS name

Early-attested site