Dunsford Fm and Duntshill
Early-attested site in the Parish of Wandsworth
Historical Forms
- Deneford(e) 1178–9 Merton 1279 QW 1291 Tax 1333 Merton
- Donesford 1301,1394 Merton
- Dunnesford 1336,1468,1514 Merton
- Dansford, Dunesford, Dunsford 1535 VE
- Dounesford 1540 LP
- Downesforthe 1560 BM
- Dunseford 1597 SACxviii
- Duneshull 1185 Merton
- Douneshull 1413 WAM
- Dunshilmede 1548 LRMB
- Dunchhill 1609 ib
Etymology
Dunsford Fm and Duntshill (6″). These old names are probably to be considered together, but their history is by no means clear. Dunsford has early forms as follows: Deneford (e )1178–9 Merton, 1279 QW, 1291 Tax, 1333 Merton, Denneford 1373 and Donesford 1301, 1394 Merton, Dunnesford 1336, 1468, 1514 Merton, Dansford , Dunesford , Dunsford 1535 VE, Dounesford 1540 LP, Downesforthe 1560 BM, Dunseford 1597 SAC xviii. Duntshill is Duneshull 1185 Merton, Douneshull 1413WAM , Dunshilmede 1548LRMB , Dunchhill 1609 ib. It would seem that Dunsford began as dene-ford , 'valley-ford,' and then for some reason or other was changed to Dunes-ford or Dunnes-ford . This may have been due to the influence of the name of the manor of Down (infra ) or to association with the common personal name Dunn , or to the influence of Duntshill. Duntshill would seem to be for Duneshull , 'hill of the manor of D (o )un or Down.'