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.

Moretonhampstead

Major Settlement in the Parish of Moretonhampstead

Historical Forms

  • Morton(a) 1086 DB 1291 Tax
  • Morton(a) subtus Dertemor 1270 Ass
  • Morton(a) juxta Northbovy 1345 Ass
  • Morton Hampsted 1493 Ipm
  • Morton Hempstede 1514 Ct
  • Mourtonhampstede 1514 Ct
  • Moreton al. Moreton Hampstead 1692 Recov
  • Moureton in the More 1446 FF

Etymology

'Moor farm,' v. tun . It lies at the edge of Dartmoor. The reason for the later addition of Hampstead is not clear, especially as this element occurs nowhere else in the county.