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.

Ladywell Copse

Early-attested site in the Parish of Burbage

Historical Forms

  • Ladelwlle, Ladewlle 1264 Devizes
  • Ladelwell pound t.Ed6 WMxv
  • Ladywell otherwise Ladellwell 1626 WIpm
  • Ladiwell al. Ladewell 1703 Recov

Etymology

Ladywell Copse (6″) is Ladelwlle , Ladewlle 1264Devizes , Ladelwell pound t. Ed 6 WM xv, Ladywell otherwise Ladellwell 1626 WIpm, Ladiwell al. Ladewell 1703Recov . The first element would seem to be the common word ladle (OE  hlædel , ME  ladel ), perhaps with reference to some instrument for raising the water from the well.