Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• CASTR 975–8 ASCoins

• CAZT 978–9 ib

• Castre 1070–87 RAi 1086 DB 1138–9 RAi 1146 c.1150 TYR c.1155 NCot e13 Dane 1157–63 RBE 1158–9 NCot a1180 P e13 CA 1195 1556

• Castra 1090,1093–1100,1100–15,1110 RAi 1130 P 1135–6 RAi 1135–54(1384),1138–9(1329) Ch 1139,1146,1147–53 RAi 1154–8 Ch 1329 Dane c.1155 RAi 1155–61 Dane c.1160 ValNor 1254

• Castr' 1159,1160,1161,1166,1167,1169,1171,1173 P 1329 Pat 1343 NI 1393 Works

• Castor c.1275 LNQvi 1392 Works 1555 Pat

• Castor Saxonice Đuangcaster & Thongcaster 1587 Camden 1695 Pryme

• Castor alias Thong Castor 1741 PT 1824 O

• Caster 1276 Gilb 1409 Pap 1331 Pat 1491 Ipm 1509 Sub 1526 LNQviii 1697

• Castur 1443 Fine

• Kastur 1536 LPxi

• Castyr 1445 AASRxxix

• Caestre 1472 WillsPCC

• Caister 1485,1548,1550,1557 Pat 1569 SP 1576 LER

• Caistre 16 CA

• Cayster 1537–8 Dugdiv

• Kayster 1539 LPxiv

• Keyster 1526 Sub

• Caistor 1634 SP

• Kester 1536 LPxi

• Thwancastr(e) 1190(e13),1291 NCot 1329 Ass 1337 Pat 1338 Misc 1342 Ipm 1356 Pat 1373 Peace 1391 FF

• Thuancast' als Castor 1576 Saxton

• Thwangcastr(e) 1298 Ass 1303 Ipm 1303 Cl 1310 Extent 1316 Pat 1465 Dixon

• Thwongcastre 1345 FF

• Thowncaster (sic) 1538–44 ECP

• Twangcastre 1316 Pat

• Twancastre 1318 Cl

• Thangcastr' c.1275 LNQvii

• Thaungkastre 1346 FA

• Thong Caster 1610 Speed

• Thong Castor 1799 Young

• Bannovalum 17 (13) Ravenna

Etymology

'The Roman station', v. cæster , ceaster . The prefix Thwang - etc. is clearly from þwang 'a thong' in some transferred topographical sense, though it is not clear what this is. Caistor has been identified with Bannovalum 17 (13) Ravenna 24a. Rivet and Smith RB 265b suggest either Caistor or Horncastle, and it seems more likely that it should be identified with Horncastle.