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.

Holcot

Major Settlement in the Parish of Holcot

Historical Forms

  • Holacotan 969 BCS1229
  • Holecote, Holekote 1086 DB 1428 FA
  • Hulecote 1240 Ass
  • Holcote 1315 Ipm
  • Hulcote 1461 IpmR
  • Hulcott Eliz ChancP
  • Howcott al. Hulcott Eliz ChancP

Etymology

Holcot lies in a small valley and the meaning of the name would seem to be 'cottages in the hollow' (v. holh ), but it is a little difficult to see just how the OE compound is formed. It may be from the gen. pl. hola , hence 'cottages of the hollows' or the form may be a mistake for holan cotan , 'hollow cottages,' if that is a likely phrase. An OE  noun hola , suggested by Skeat, is of very doubtful authenticity.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site