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.

Holy Well

Other OS name in the Parish of Winterton

Historical Forms

  • Haliuel c1200 MaltCart c1250
  • Hallewell dales (sic) 1633 WillsPCC
  • Holiwell Dales 1772 EnclA

Etymology

( local ) , 1842 White , Haliuel c1200 (c1250) MaltCart , Hallewell dales (sic)1633 WillsPCC, Holiwell Dales 1772EnclA . “ There is a spring at Holy Well Dale , near Winterton … formerly celebrated for it healing properties ; and bushes around used to be hung with rags ” , R.C . Hope , The Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England , p. 87 . v. hālig , wella .