Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Melcanetorp c.1150 Lowth

• Melkanthorp(e), Melcanthorp(e) c.1199 Lowth 1279 Ass5d 1281 AD 1292 Ass15 1777 M

• -throp 1540 MinAcct 1685 PR

• Melkamestorp 1195 FF

• Melcamroph 1337 SR

• Melkent(h)orpe 1256 Ass

• Melkenthrop(p) 1278 Ass8 1571 FF 1716 PR(Wp)

• Melkinthrop(p) 1582 PR(Mrl) 1650,1656 PR

• Melkinthorp 1667–1753 ib

• Mylkyngthorpe, -i- 1555 FF 1652 DdSale

• Mylkenthrop 1621 Rent

Etymology

'Melkan's hamlet', v. þorp. The pers.n. Melkan is from Ir  Maelchon , cf. Ekwall, ScandsCelts 70–1, who also notes it in a La p.n. Melkanerhou ; it could, however, be from OIr  Maelcian (CGH 687) or OWelsh  Mailcun . T. E. Casson in an essay on Hornchild and the Battle of Stainmore (CW xxxvii, 30 ff) associates it with King Malkan of the medieval romance. On the use of þorp , cf. Introd.