Weatheroak Hill
Early-attested site in the Parish of Alvechurch
Historical Forms
- la Wederake 1221 Ass
- Wederoke 1299 RBB 18th
- Wederokes Hull 1299 RBB 18th StratGild 1439
- Wederhoke 1327 SR
- atte Woderok 1340 NI
- Wetherock Hill 1603 SR
Etymology
It is impossible to attain any certainty with regard to this name. The first element may be OE weder and the name may have been given to some particular oak on this summit point which, for some reason or other, could be used for weather- prophecy. It may be OE weðer , 'sheep,' and the oak have been so called from some association with sheep, because they took shelter under it. Finally, it should be borne in mind that there is evidence for a pers. name Weder (a ) as in Wetheringsett (Sf) (v. PN Sf 85), Weathergrove (So), Wederangraf in BCS 730, 931. In that case it means 'Wedera's oak.'