Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Checinwich(e) 1086 DB c.1086 EveA 1190

• Kekinwiche c.1086 EveB 1190

• Kekingwik(e) 1208 Fees36 1240 WoP 1270 Wigorn 1275 SR

• Kinstwick 1221 FF

• Kekenwic 1242 P

• Keckingewyke 1275 Ass, FF

• Ketelingwyche 1275 Ass

• Kelyngwych 1411 FF

• Kelonwyche al. Kekonwyche al. Kenchewhiche 1497 IpmR

• Kengewick 1535 VE 1577 Saxton

• Kenswike 1560 Wills

• le Keke in 1275 (SR)

Etymology

The clue to this name is provided by the field-name Kekes Ruding which occurs in a charter of c. 1230 (WoC 39 b ). There is also an Osbert le Keke in 1275 (SR). This discovery confirms Ritter's suggestion (132) that we have to do with an OE  Cēcingwīc formed from a pers. name found also in Kesgrave (Sf), earlier Kekesgrave . Ritter points out that we should have expected ME  forms in Kech - rather than Kek -, but it is clear that some unexplained cause prevented the normal development of this pers. name from Cēc to Keche . The ME and early ModE  evidence prove an -inge pronunciation, suggesting OE  Cēcingawīc rather than Cēcingwīc . The same pers. name is probably found in Keckwick (Ch), 1281 Plea Roll Kecwyke (p), 1329 Ch Kekwic .From this place-name, at some stage in its history, must have been thrown off the pers. name Kekewich .