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.

Haw Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Great Bedwyn

Historical Forms

  • bosc. de Howe, Hawewode t.Ed2 For
  • Houwode 1331 Stowe
  • Houwode 14th Bradenstoke

Etymology

Haw Wood is bosc. de Howe , Hawewode t. Ed 2For , Houwode 1331Stowe 925, Houwode 14thBradenstoke , Howood 1649 SarumD and C . The wood is on a spur of land and the name would seem to go back to OE  hoh. Later, as a wood name, there was confusion with ME  hawe , 'hedge, enclosure,' v. haga .