Dunnock
Prunella modularis
Dunnock - OE dunnoc/dunnuc, hegesugge, pinnuc, sugge
We only know that dunnock is an old name because of its appearance in place-names. The name refers to the ‘dun’ colouration of the bird (and perhaps similar looking species, such as sparrows, if sugge referred to other small, brown birds) + oc (‘ock’ in modern English), a general diminutive suffix in English with the meaning ‘little one or thing’ (the old word for robin, for instance, was rudduc; ‘little red one’). The dunnock is one of the more surprising birds to turn up in place-names perhaps, especially given their dunness and solitary, skulking habits, although the species’ song certainly draws attention. What’s more surprising is that if birds such as dunnocks and wrens are present in place-names, why are there no robins? See also the names relating to sugge on the page for sparrow.
Dunkenshaw (Lancs)
Dunkeswell (Dev)
Dunnockshaw (Lancs)
Sources (see ‘About’ page for the full bibliography): Watts, Cambridge Dictionary; Ekwall, Oxford Dictionary.