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.

Merton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Merton

Historical Forms

  • Merton(e) 967 BCS1196 15th
  • South Merton(e) 1324 Inqaqd
  • Mereton(e) 1086 DB 1122,1156 Merton 1158 P 1196 FF
  • Meretune 1151–2 BM 1158 P 1212 Fees
  • Meriton(a), Meritone 1129–35 Merton 1131,1156 P 1163 France c.1228 BM 1227–52 Ch 1305 Merton
  • Mareton(a) 1176 P
  • Marten 1500 Ipm 1569 Musters 1574 FF
  • Martin 1605 SACxii
  • Mirton al. Marten 1679 Recov

Etymology

Apparently 'farm by or near the pool' (v. mere , tun ). Seeing that Surrey was in Mercian territory in 786 (supra xvii), the identification of Merton with the Merantun where Cynewulf King of Wessex was staying when he met his death is exceedingly doubtful.