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.

Upton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Upton

Historical Forms

  • Optone 1086 DB
  • Vpton' 1176 P
  • Upton' 1220 Fees
  • Upton alias Opton 1295 Ipm
  • Optone 1297 ib

Etymology

'Higher farm', from OE  upp 'above', and tūn, a very common name, for other examples of which see DEPN. Upton stands higher than Blewbury and W. Hagbourne, but appreciably lower than Chilton, another near neighbour. Chilton may be a name of later origin.