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.

Bannall's Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Little Kyre

Historical Forms

  • Banewelle 1305 Ipm 1322 Pat
  • Banwell 1327 SR
  • Banwall 1332 SR 1354 Kyre
  • Banewall 1433 IpmR
  • The Banwalls, Bannoles, the Bannells 1575,1585,1704 Kyre

Etymology

It is probable that this is a manorial name derived from a family which came from Banwell (So), for all the early forms except that for 1433 are from pers. names and there we have mention of Banewall Manor . Whether this be so or no, it is clear that the ultimate etymology of Banewelle is the same as that of the Somersetshire place-name which is found as Bananwylle (BCS 612, copy), Banewyllan (ib. 1149, copy), Banawelle (Earle 43, copy) and Banuwille (c. 1000 Asser). The common interpretation is 'slayer's spring or stream' from OE  bana , 'slayer.'It may be however that Bana here is to be taken as a pers. name, the name which, in the expanded form Bænisa seems to lie behind Bensington (O), cf. IPN 172.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement