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.

The Mermaid

Early-attested site in the Parish of Clyffe Pypard

Historical Forms

  • Mermaid Ground c.1840 TA

Etymology

The Mermaid (Mermaid Ground c. 1840TA ) (6″) is locally called Meremaid but there is no tradition or likelihood of an inn here (E. H. G.). Perhaps the second element is mæd , 'meadow.' We are on the parish boundary here so the first element may be (ge)mære, 'boundary' (infra 441), but mere , 'mere,' is also possible as there are pools here.