Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Funtial 901 BCS591

• Funtgeall 901 BCS590 12th

• Funteal 977 KCD610 12th

• Fontel 1086 DB 1288 Ipm

• Fontel Epi, Fontel Giffard 1291 Tax

• Fontell 1316 FA

• Fontelgyffard 1345 ADii

• Fontel Episcopi 1367 WMiii

• Overfonthill t.Eliz WMxxi

• Funtel' 1166 P

• Funtel 1187 P 1224 Bracton 1257 Ch

• Funtell 1243 Pat

• Funtele 1284 Ch

• Funtel Giffard 1297 Pat

• Funtill al. Fountell 1651 Hoare

• Fountell Gifford 1316 FA

• Fowntell 1547 SR

• Bishop Funthill 1695 Morden

Etymology

The second element of Fonthill is the British word noted under Deverill supra 6. The first is difficult. The Late Latin fontana is found as a loan word in the British languages (W  ffynnon , Corn  fonten , fenten , Breton feunteun ) but the ordinary word fons (font -) is not found. It may be that it did once exist, cf. Font (PN NbDu 88). Ekwall (ES liv, 103–8) derives the second element of names like Bedfont, Teffont, etc. from Latin through Celtic. See further his note on funta in DEPN. Bishops and Giffard from the DB holdings of the Bishop of Winchester and Berenger Gifard respectively. Fonthill Giffard was also known as Over or Upper Fonthill.