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.

Northampton

County Town in the County of Northamptonshire

Historical Forms

  • Hamtun 917 ASC 10th ASC 1140 12th
  • Norðhamtun 1065 ASC 12th
  • Norhthamtun 1122 ASC
  • Norhamptoun c.1300 Harl
  • Hamtona 1219 Fees

Etymology

The north appears in all subsequent records except Hamtona 1219 Fees. One might quote forms from the long series of Hamtun-coins , but it is still uncertain whether these should be referred to Northampton or to Southampton. For this name v. Introd. xix.

Parishes in this County Town

None