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.

Kirtling

Major Settlement in the Parish of Kirtling

Historical Forms

  • Curtelinga, Curtelinge 1086 ICC
  • Curtling' 1219 Cur
  • Quetelinge 1086 InqEl
  • Chertelinge 1086 1170 LibEl
  • Chertelinges 1166 RBE
  • Kert(e)ling(a), Kert(e)ling(e), Kert(e)lyng(g)(e) 1167–8 P 1509 LP
  • Kertlingh 1298 Ass
  • Kertelenge 1381,1456 ADi 1434 Pat
  • Kertlinges, Kertlynges 1176 P 1241 FineR
  • Chirtlyng 1272 Ass
  • Kirt(e)ling(g)(e), Kirt(e)lyng(e), Kyrt(e)lyng(e) 1268 Ass 1489 Pat
  • Kyrtelynche 1438 IpmR
  • Kirtlyche t.Hy6 Colexxxvii
  • Kirtling quæ & Catlidg nominatur 1594 Camden
  • Kart(e)lyng(e), Cart(e)lyng(e) 1450 SR 1553 EAviii
  • Cartlenge, Kartlenge 1501 Rental 1553 EAviii
  • Cartelage 1553 Pat
  • Kertlidge 1640 EAvi
  • Catlidge 1576 Saxton 1607 Kip
  • Cateledge 1616 Cai
  • Kirtling, Catlige or Catlage 1808 L

Etymology

This name has generally been explained as derived from OE  Cyrtlingas , 'the settlement of Cyrtla 's people,' v. ing , PN in -ing 82 and DEPN, and cf. Kirklington (PN NRY 220, PN Nt 170) and Kirtlington (O), Kyrtlingtun 977C (c. 1050) ASC. The rarity of forms in -es , the numerous spellings in -inge and the ultimate development to Catlidge suggest that the second element is OE  hlinc rather than ingas , and that the original form of the name was Cyrtlan-hlinc , 'Cyrtla 's ridge.' This would suit the site well. For similar development of hlinc through linge to ling cf. Swarling (PN K 547) and Sydling (PN Do 201).

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site