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.

Great Torrington

Major Settlement in the Parish of Great Torrington

Historical Forms

  • Tori(n)tona 1086 DB 1246 Ipm
  • Tirinton t.Hy2 BM
  • Thorich 1249 FF
  • Chippingtoriton 1284 Ass
  • Chepingtoryton juxta Were Giffard 1316 Ass
  • Torytone Magna 1366 Exon
  • Turytone magna 1370 Exon
  • Mochel Torynton 1443 FF

Etymology

'Farm by the Torridge,' supra 14. 'Great' to distinguish from Little Torrington supra 110. 'Chipping,' i.e. with a market, v. cieping .