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.

Buckland

Major Settlement in the Parish of Buckland

Historical Forms

  • Bocheland 1086 DB
  • Bochland 1157 P
  • Bucland 1265 Pat
  • Buklond 1378 Cl 1476 ADv
  • Boklond 1382 Pat
  • Bokland 1383 Cl
  • Bokelond 1400 Pat 1424 ib
  • Bukland 1449 Pat 1488 ADv 1504 Pat

Etymology

v. bocland . In 1066 the manor was held by Godric brother of Wulfwig bishop of Dorchester. As Godric was his brother's tenant, and could not alienate the land without his licence, it is probable that Buckland was an ancient possession of the see of Dorchester. If so, the place may well owe its name to the fact that it had been granted to some early bishop by boc , or royal charter.

Places in the same Parish