This may well be no news to anyone, but I've just been through the latest
EPNS volume (KI Sandred's Place Names of Norfolk vol.3 (Nottingham 2002))
and, as I have before, thought I would share the findings for the
edification of all and sundry.
The pick of the sites is 'fons sancti Botulfi', recorded in the 13th century
at Weybourne and probably identical with Weybourne Springs, first noted 1839
(p.146). 'Mildredes Welle' of 1318 in Melton Constable & Burgh Parva is less
clearly a saint's well (136). Sandred suggests Walter de Holwell of Kelling
(1328, p.132) may derive his name from 'haligwiella', but I don't see why
necessarily.
Other definite well-names are:
Beeston Regis, Calves Well (10)
Blickling, Flash Pit, from Flassh 1333 - 'swamp' (62)
Cawston, Bookwelle, 1427, described as a spring (73)
Edgefield, Nikeresmer c.1300 - 'water sprite's pool' (121)
Gresham, Ale Well, 1842 (18-19)
Oulton, Spa, 1839 (96)
Plumstead by Holt, Town Well, 1839 (28)
Runton, Calves Well, 1838, possibly the same as 'curres well' c.1490 (35)
Sidestrand, Bizewell, f. Boyeswell 1586, a 'common watering place', but also
related to the Boys family (40)
Stratton Strawless, Standing Well 1838 (104)
Names in 'wiella' which would need confirming include:
Baconsthorpe, Norwell 1506 (55)
Bale, Karewelle, 13th cent. (112)
Belaugh, Caldwell c.1250 (61)
Cawston, Fillwell, 1843, and Codemerewelle 1362, f. 'codd', bag or hollow
(74)
Cley, Carewell 1289 (121)
Colby, Kentingwell, 1333, 'spring/stream of the man from Kent' (77)
Coltishall, Caldewelle 1370 (78)
Cromer, Talewell, 1250 (11)
Edgefield, Buckwelle c.1300 (123)
Gimingham, Carwell and Heggatewell, 1484/5 (17)
Hevingham, Coltwell 1838, and Syrewell 1229 f. 'scire', bright (85)
Holt, Dedwelle 1446 (129)
Kelling, Carvel Marsh f. Karewelle 1269 (132)
Morston, Keteswelle 1275 (138)
Overstrand, Peskewell temp.Ed.I (27 - the village has a Shuck Lane)
Plumstead by Holt, Bronewelle 1391 (28)
Runton, Oxwell Crosse c.1490 (35)
Skeyton, Whitewell 1316 (102)
Swanton Abbot, Coldwelle 1333 (105)
Trimingham, Byswell 1838 (46)
Finally there is a large class of 'pit' and 'hole' names which may or may
not be water-sites:
Bale, Hog's Hole 1838 (112)
Bodham, Snakes Hole 1842 (115)
Brampton, Calf's Hole, Thieves Hole 1837 (65-66)
Cawston, Smuggler's Hole 1843 (73); Eluespitt 1443 (74); Harepyte 1427,
Hermannes pitt 1423, Pouues pitt 1424 f. pawa, 'peacock' (75)
Cley, Cow Hole, Half Moon Pit, Horse Pit, Thickbottom Pit, Chapel Hole
(120-121)
Coltishall, Potspoon Hole (78)
Cromer, Hayes's Hole 1843 (12)
Edgefield, Smoker's Hole, Thieves Hole 1844 (123)
Felbrigg, Pye's Hole, Sloe Holes 1842 (15)
Gimingham, Keysgravehole 1484/5 (17)
Hevingham, Hooping Hole 1838 (85)
Holt, Cat Pits, Horn Pits (128)
Kelling, Sink Pits 1838 (132)
Matlask, Shepherd's Pit 1839 (23)
Melton Constable & Burgh Parva, Poison Pit 1840, Magiolyspit 1475 (136)
Metton, Sagram's Hole 1842 (24)
Oulton, Leech Pit, Horse Pit 1839 (96)
Repps (North), Shrieking Pits (where supernatural voices were heard), 1839;
Skultyngespytte 1493 (30,31)
Runton, Kaldpytte c.1490 (35)
Saxlingham, Smoker's Hole (140)
Sharington, Sallow Pit 1840, f. salh - 'willow' (142)
Swanton Abbot, Brendepittes 13th cent. - 'burnt place' (105)
Swanton Novers, Sallow Pit 1838 (143)
Trimingham, Tulleyshole 1838 (46)
Wickmere, Halle Pitt 1595 (108)
Wolterton, Hag Pit 1840 (109)
So that's told you!
James
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