Consulting another book, the Oxford Book of English Place Names
(author A.d. Mills) I find the following:
Northwich -- Domesday Book (1086) "Norwich" = "North salt-works"
from Old English North + wic
Middlewich -- Domesday Book "Mildestuich" = "Middlemost salt-works"
from OE midlest + wic
Nantwich -- Domesday Book (1086) "Wich", changed to "Nanetwihc" by 1194
"The salt-works" OE wic, with the later addition of Middle English "named"
meaning renowned or famous.
Droitwich -- Domesday Book (1086) "Wich" , changed to "Derihtwych by 1347
"Dirty or muddy salt-works. Old English wic with the later addition if OE "drit"
=dirt.
Tony Brewis
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