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.

Caxton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Caxton

Historical Forms

  • Caustone 1086 DB 1559 Rental
  • Kachestona t.Stephen France
  • Ka(c)kestune c.1150 StNeot
  • Kaccestune c.1183 Wardon
  • Kakeston(a) 1183–94 P 1206 Cur
  • Kaxton 1195 P 1330 FF
  • Kaxston 1298 Ipm
  • Chachestun c.1150 StNeot
  • Chakeston' 1186 P 1303 Lewes
  • Cakeston(a) 1187 P 1324 Pat
  • Caqueston(a) 1191 AD
  • Caxton(a), Caxton(e) c.1150 StNeot 1488 Pat
  • Caxtun c.1250 SR
  • Cakston 1346 FF
  • Caxston(e) 1353 FF 1401 FA 1487 Pat
  • Caston 1380 Cl

Etymology

As suggested by Ekwall (DEPN), this is probably 'Kakkr 's farm,' v. tūn . This Scand personal name is found in Kaksrud (Norway) and may be from Norw  kakk , 'nose' or ON  kǫkkr , 'lump,' Norw  kakk , 'a knob.' The persistent ME  forms in -es - make Ekwall's alternative suggestion that this might be from Scand  käx , a side form of kax , 'umbelliferous plants,' the source of English kex , unlikely.

Places in the same Parish