71 
The Alames of Dlaces in Wiltshire, 
By the Rev. Prebendary W. H. Jonus, F.S.A., 
Vicar of Bradford-on-Avon. 
(Continued.) 
II.—On tHe Teutonic Evement 1n Wittsuire Loca Nass. 
36. In an essay published in the pages of this Magazine an 
attempt has already been made to explain those Names of Places in 
Wiltshire which are derived from a Celtic source, and so illustrate 
the times when Britons occupied this country. We proceed now to 
speak of those which belong to a later period, introduced at the first 
by the Anglo-Saxon settlers, in which is contained what is usually 
termed the Teutonic element. From circumstances which are easily 
_ understood, these are far more numerous than any others in our local 
- nomenclature. An occupancy of the country, by themselves and 
their descendants, for more than fourteen centuries, has enabled them 
literally to “call the land after their own names.” Though both 
in our ordinary speech, and, as we have shewn, in our River-Names, 
there is a strong Celtic element, yet from the Anglo-Saxon is de- 
rived the staple of our present language, and hence naturally enough 
comes also the principal portion of the Names of Places. 
In this part of our enquiry we tread on much firmer ground. The 
_ valuable collection of Anglo-Saxon Charters still preserved to us, 
some dating from as early a period as the seventh century, enables 
us with far greater accuracy to come to a conclusion as to the 
original forms, ‘and consequently the meaning, of the names. Many 
_of the charters are no doubt but copies of the originals, made often 
by scribes who were evidently ignorant of the language in which 
the land-limits of estates are usually given; still, with all these 
_ drawbacks, no one can study these charters which relate to a county 
with which he is himself familiar, without perceiving what a flood 
_ of light is poured forth by them on the meaning of names, without 



