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.

Mortlake

Major Settlement in the Parish of Mortlake

Historical Forms

  • Mortelage 1086 DB
  • Mourtelage 1282,1294 Winton
  • Murtelac t.Wm1 Dugdi,109 1135 Merton
  • Morteslak 1227 Pat
  • Mortelak(e) 1227 Pat 1569 WimbCt
  • Mordelac 1282 Merton
  • Murtlake 1541 LP
  • Morelake 1547 Pat

Etymology

Mortlake was perhaps an alternative name for the small stream which enters the Thames here (v. lacu ), commonly known as Beverley Brook (v. supra 2). Mort - names have been discussed in PN D 52s. n. Morthoe. In the present name, as in Mortham (PN NRY 30), derivation from a pers. name Morta is probable. Hence 'Morta 's stream.'

Places in the same Parish