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.

Olton

Early-attested site in the Parish of Solihull

Historical Forms

  • Oltun 12th ADi
  • Alton 1221 Ass
  • Olton 1295 Ipm 1325 ADiii 1336 ADvi 1447 IpmR 1459 ADii
  • Colton (sic) 1324 Ipm
  • Hulton 1374 ADi
  • Elton in…Solyhull 1401 Cl
  • Oulton juxta Solyhull 1466 FF
  • Olton ende 1581 LRMB
  • Owlton 1610 FF
  • Oken end 1656 Dugdale
  • Olton al. Okenend 1668 FF

Etymology

Olton is Oltun 12th AD i(p), Alton 1221Ass , Olton 1295 Ipm, 1325 AD iii, 1336 AD vi, 1447 IpmR, 1459 AD ii, Colton (sic)1324 Ipm, Hulton 1374 AD i, Elton inSolyhull 1401 Cl, Oulton juxta Solyhull 1466FF , Olton ende 1581LRMB , Owlton 1610FF , Oken end 1656 Dugdale, Olton al. Okenend 1668FF .Dugdale (687) is doubtless right as to the first element when he writes “Olton , id est the Old town.” v. eald , tun and cf. Oulton (St), Oldeton 1251 P. It was the original settlement.