Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Calnestone, Calnestune 1086 DB

• Kalnadatun c.1160 Dane

• Calnodeston 1166 P 1167 CR

• Calnoðeston' 1167 P

• Kalnadton c.1220 BM

• Calnetheton 1241 Ebor

• Calnatton' 1175 P

• Calnaton Nicholai de Aiviłł 1194 P c.1260 Norfolk

• Calneton 1226 FF 1428 FA

• Calfnadtun c.1200 HarlCh

• Kalnaton 1237 Ebor 1242 Fees

• Kalnachon, Kanalton 1237 Ebor

• Caneton 1316 FA

• Caunton 1392 Pat

• Cawnton 1399 IpmR

• Calneton al. Cawnton 1567 FF

• Conton 1649 ParReg(Fiskerton)

• Caunton al. Conton 1720 Recov

Etymology

The first element in this name is probably a personal name.We have in BCS 466 an OE place-name Calmundesden which suggests the possibility of an OE  personal name Calmund . Here we may have a personal name Calnōþ with the same first element and with a well-established second element nōþ . The original form of the first element should perhaps be calu (as suggested in DEPN) rather than cal . The form in Calf - should probably be regarded as due to folk-etymology. 'Calnoþ 's farm,' v. tun .The name seems to occur again in Candlesby and Candleshoe (L), DB Calnodesbi , Calnodeshou .