Totnes
Major Settlement in the Parish of Totnes
Historical Forms
- Totanæs 979–1016,t.Cnut Coins
- Tottanesse, to Tottanesse 11th Crawf
- Toteneis 1086 DB c.1200 Lay
- Toteneys 1243 FF 1249 Ass 1272 Orig 1284 Ass
- Toteneys Michell 1432–43 ECP1,56
- Totenes, Totenesse 1167 RBE 1187,1230 P 1238,1244 Ass
- Totenas c.1250 Lay c.1300 RG
- Totenas Parva 1337 FF
- Totenays c.1300 RG
- Lytell Tottneis 1364 IpmR
- Tottenes(se) 1233 Bracton 1286 Ass
- Tottenes(se) Magna 1313 Ass
- Totteneys 1275 RH 1285 Ass 1316 FA
- Tottenays 1283 Ass
- Totnisse 1501 Seld16
Etymology
The second element here is OE næss, referring to the prominent point of land on which the castle stands. The first element is the OE pers. name Totta . The OE forms and the numerous later ones with double t show that the first element cannot be the word found in the numerous Tothills or 'look-out hills.' It appears as Totton ' in Latinised form in some ME documents.