Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Malgewater c.1190 Fount

• Malgekelde 1131–40 YChvii

• Mallewatre 1175 ib

• Malhewater 1175 Font

• Malghwater 1198 Fount 1461 Vyner

• Mawater 1593 FF

• Malham Water 1817 M

Etymology

Malham Water, Malgewater c. 1190 Fount, Malgekelde 1131–40 YCh vii, Mallewatre 1175 ib 78, Malhewater 1175 Font, Malghwater 1198 Fount, 1461Vyner , 'a pond called Mawater ' 1593 FF, Malham Water 1817 M. 'The water or lake belonging to Malham', v. wæter , and for the form Malge - cf. Malham Moor supra . The name Malham Water is now used for the small river which is the outflow of Malham Tarn and disappears underground 600 yards below the tarn, but it was the older name of Malham Tarn itself. Cf. also Trenhouse and Water Houses infra .