Taston
Early-attested site in the Parish of Spelsbury
Historical Forms
- Thorstan 1278–9 RH
- Thorstane 1316 FA
- Torstone 1492 Dean
- Taston 1608–9 Survey
Etymology
Apparently 'Þor 's stone,' v. stān ; but it may be suspected that the first element was originally Þunres -, with reference to the god Þunor , as in Þunresdæg , now Thursday. The earliest example of Thors - as the first element of the day of the week given in NED is from Robert of Gloucester, 1297. Cf. R. M. Marshall, Oxfordshire By -Ways , Oxford 1935, pp. 57–8, “giant monoliths—the Hoar Stone at Enstone, near the cross-roads; the Hawk at Dean; and Thor's Stone at Taston in the south of the valley.” The stone is marked on the 6″ map, but no name is given, and the corruption of the village name has obscured the connection between the two. Cf. Tusmore (216).