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.

Wootton Bassett

Major Settlement in the Parish of Wootton Bassett

Historical Forms

  • Wdetun 680 BCS c.1125 745 14th 937 c.1125 ib
  • Wudetunnincga gemære 983 KCD636 c.1150
  • Wutton 1229 Cl 1230 Ch
  • Wodetone 1086 DB
  • Wotton(e) 1211 RBE
  • Wotton(e) Basset 1272 Ipm
  • Wotton(e) juxta Bradestoke 1281 Ass
  • Bassetteswotton 1315 FF
  • Witun' 1245 WMxvi
  • Olde Wotton 1502 ECP
  • Olde Wotton al. Wotton Bassett 1547 Pat

Etymology

'Farm by the wood,' v. wudu , tun . Alan Basset acquired the manor before 1212 in right of his wife (Boarstall 312).The 983 form refers to the boundary of the people of Wootton, v. ingas , (ge)mære.