By Isle of Wight Observer
We enjoyed this reader’s letter sent to the Isle of Wight Observer published on January 19th, 1901. The writer, who is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, gives his views on the origins of several place names on the Island.
“OLD RYDE.”
To the Editor of the Isle of Wight Observer.
Sir,—The writer of the article in your last issue on “Old Ryde” has made several statements which it might be of interest to call in question. […] “Ashey” has nothing to do with ash trees, nor have “Appledurcombe” or “Appley” anything to do with apple trees.
These early settlers would naturally choose some well watered spot on which to make their dwelling, and a place would be named after its physical description; many of these old place names we find, have some reference to water. […]
Ashey is an almost pure Celtic word, the original being “ashe,” (pronounced like ash) signifying water, the springs in Bloodstone Copse being, no doubt referred to. […] “Appledurcombe” is a most interesting example of the duplication in one word of the reference to water. The Celtic name in its first form was no doubt “durewm” signifying the “dur” or “ur” (water) in the “ewm” or hollow. Subsequent Celts added the prefix “pwl” or pool, so that we have “pwldurewm” or, as it is now called, Appledurcombe, […].
“Appley” too is an interesting word, for in it we find traces of the Celtic “pwl,” and it has the terminal “ey,” which is usually regarded as Scandinavian for a place which is liable to submergence – possibly the name was originally applied to the marsh lands.
Haven Street was, in the middle ages, called “Heathen Street,” probably meaning the street or way through the moor or heath, and not, one would say, having any reference to heathens. This was most likely an old Roman road leading from the centre of the Island to the Rye or Ryde.
In trying to solve the meaning of old place names it is as well not to give much importance to the mere modern spelling of the words. We should have regard more for the sound of the syllables […]
Yours faithfully,
G. W. COLENUTT F.G.S.