English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Drayton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Drayton

Historical Forms

  • (æt) Draitune 958 BCS1032 c.1240
  • Drætun 983 KCD1280 c.1240
  • Draitune, Draitone 1086 DB
  • Draitun(a) c.1180 Abingdon 13th
  • Drayton' 1220 Fees
  • Westdrayton 1402 Bodl
  • Drayton 1517 DInc
  • Draigtun 960 BCS1058 c.1200
  • Drægtun 960 c.1240 KCD1294 1000 c.1240
  • Dreiton' 1181 P 1325 Pat

Etymology

v. dræg , tun , and cf. Draycott 404–5. Westdrayton was the name of one of the manors (VCH iv, 341–2). There is marshy ground N.E. of Drayton, and a meaning 'estate where sledges are used' might be appropriate.