Wiltshire Community History

Wiltshire History Questions Search Results

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Question Date : Tuesday 13th December 2005 10:56

Question:
I have recently moved to the area and am curious to know if there is any link between "the Winterslows" and "the Winterbournes"? Is it known what the origin of both these place names is?

Answer:
Although the word Winter is used in both names one refers to the flow of a river and the other is a personal name. Winterbourne is from the river Bourne, once called the Winterbourne as it only flowed in the winter months when the water table was higher. Winterslow means the burial mound of a man called Winter. The Saxon name Wintra is recorded as early as 699 and although the name Winter is only recorded in continental Europe it is quite probable that this was used in Wiltshire.

Bibliography:
The Place-names of Wiltshire, by J.E.B. Gover, Allen Mawer and F.M. Stenton. OUP 1939

Contact Details

Wiltshire Studies
Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
Cocklebury Road
Chippenham
Wiltshire, SN15 3QN
Email: localstudies@wiltshire.gov.uk