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.

Tilly Whim Caves

Other OS name in the Parish of Swanage

Historical Forms

  • Tilly Whim 1811 OS

Etymology

, Tilly Whim 1811 OS , the remains of an ancient stone quarry in the face of the cliff , unworked since 1812 , from the surname Tilly ( cf. Roger Tilie 1332 SR ( Charlton M . ) , John Tilly 1664 HTax ( Langton Mat . ) ) or a p.n. Tilly ( cf. Tilly Mead a1727 Robinson , and Tillycoombe Rd in Portland par . infra ) , and whim ' windlass ' ( used for lowering stone to boats ) , cf. Robinson 93, Db 149, Arkell ( 1940 ) 43 – 5 ; for Tillywhim Ware 1886 Barnes , a sheep walk above the caves , v. Ware infra .