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.

Roxton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Roxton

Historical Forms

  • Rochestone, Rochesdone 1086 DB
  • Rokesdun 1220 LS 1247 Ass
  • Rokesdon 1227 Ass 1232 FF 1500
  • Rokesden 1232 Cl 1241 FF 1300
  • Rokisdun 1235 Ch
  • Rockesden 1287 Ass
  • Rockesdon, Rokkesdon 1297 SR 1330,1338 Cl
  • Rokeston 1398 IpmR
  • Roxton al. Rokesdon 1449 IpmR

Etymology

This is probably 'Hrōc 's hill' rather than 'rook's hill.' The existence of such a name, derived from the bird-name, is certain (cf. Mawer, Animal and Personal Names in MLR xiv. 241) and it is hardly likely that a hill would be named from a single rook.v. dun .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site