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.

Peaks Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Aldbourne

Historical Forms

  • Pikedewode 1289 Ass 1336 FF
  • la Pikedewode 1322 AD
  • Pykedwood 1427 IpmR
  • Pykydwod 1450–3 ECP
  • Pikewode 1468 MinAcct
  • Pykewood 1509 DuLa
  • Pickwood 1677 DKRxli

Etymology

Peaks Wood (6″) is probably identical with Pikedewode 1289Ass (p), 1336FF , la Pikedewode 1322AD , Pykedwood 1427 IpmR, Pykydwod 1450–3 ECP, Pikewode 1468MinAcct , Pykewood 1509DuLa , Pickwood 1677 DKR xli. The name must originally have been used of a piece of woodland with many corners. Cf. infra 453. Probably influenced in form by the neighbouring Peaks Downs supra 285.