Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ecclesia sanctae Mariae de Norton et Canonici ibidem Deo regulanter servientes 1134 Orm2 17

• domus de Norton 1359 Chol

• monasterium de Norton 1410 Cl

• prior(atus) de Norton(a) 1178–90 Bun

• a priory of canons cawllid Northtton c.1536 Leland

• Norton Priory 1724 NotCestr

• abbas de Nortun, abbatia de Nortun, abbas de Norton, abbatia de Norton 1253 Cl 1396 ib

• the abbay of Norton 1521 Life

• Norton Abbey 1553 Pat

• monasterium de Norton 1549 Pat

• Hall Graunge 1569 Orm2

• the hall of Norton 1634 ib

• Norton Hall 1646 Sheaf

Etymology

The priory was established in Runcorn c.1115 and transferred to Norton c.1134 (v. Orm2 i691, Facs 24). The priory became an abbey at an unspecified date—it is called an abbey in 1253 Cl but more regularly from 1396 ib, yet it is more frequently called a priory down to the dissolution, v. hall , grange .