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.

Cross Town

Early-attested site in the Parish of Knutsford

Historical Forms

  • Cross Town 1831 Bry
  • Cross Towne 1712 JRL
  • Crossetowne of Knottesford 1598 AD
  • the Crostowne of Nether Knotsford 1683 ib

Etymology

Cross Town, Cross Town 1831 Bry, Cross Towne 1712 JRL, Crossetowne of Knottesford 1598 AD, the Crostowne of Nether Knotsford 1683 ib, 'the village at the cross', named from an ancient stone cross which formerly stood here, perhaps the market cross of the old town, cf. Knutsford supra , Norbury Booths 77infra , v. cros , toun .