Dunton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Dunton
Historical Forms
- Donitone, Danitone 1086 DB
- Duniton 1185 RotDom
- Dunton E1 Ch 1286
- Dunton by Bikeleswade 1333 Ipm
- Donton 1202 Ass 1328 1504 Ipm
- Dutton 1242 Fees869
- Dounton 1287 Ass 1316 FA
- Dounton Chaumberleyn 1328 Ipm 1400 CS 1404 IpmR
- Danton Eliz ChancP
Etymology
The earliest forms with medial i are a little disconcerting, but in view of the uniform character of the later ones and the clear topography of Dunton, lying on a ridge, we must interpret the name as from OE dun and tun and take it to mean 'hill-farm.'The Chamberlain family held land here as early as 1210 (VCH ii. 212) and were the same family that gave their name to Compton Chamberlayne (W). v. Addenda.