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.

Rotton Row

Early-attested site in the Parish of Knowle

Historical Forms

  • Ratten Row 1725 B

Etymology

Rotton Row is Rottenrew 1591, Rotten Rewe 1608LRMB , Ratten Row 1725 B. This was probably originally a term of reproach for poor-looking dwellings. Cf. Ratton Row (PN NbDu 162). Alternatively it might be so called from the family of Rot (t )on named several times in the Guild Register.