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.

Bassenthwaite

Major Settlement in the Parish of Bassenthwaite

Historical Forms

  • Bistunthweit c.1160 Fountains
  • Bastunthuait c.1175 Hesley
  • Bastunthweit, Bastuntwayt, Bastunthwait t.John Fountains c.1240 StB 1298 StBA
  • Bastenethwait 1208 FF
  • Bastenthwyt 1212 StBA
  • Bastenthwait 1241 Cl 1403 Pat
  • Bastenqweyth' 1308 Netherhall
  • Bastanswayt 1256 FF
  • Bastanthweyt 1278,1279 Ass
  • Bastinthwayt, Bastinthwait 1292 Ass 1372 StB
  • Bastynthuate 1535 VE
  • Bastingthwayt 1292 Ass
  • Bastingthewyt ib. (p)
  • Bastingthweyt 1308 Cl
  • Bastingthwaite 1547 FF
  • Bastonethwayt c.1230 Fountains
  • Bastonthwait 1303 Pat
  • Basyngthwaite 1492 DunBev
  • Bassyngthwayte 1540 AOMB
  • Basonthwaite 1599 FF
  • Bastyntwhat 1562 PR(Crosth)

Etymology

Ekwall (DEPN) takes the first element to be the OFr  bastun , 'stick,' used as a personal name, noting Ernaldus Bastun (1191 P (Nf)), Richard Bastun (1303Ass (Nth)). Hence 'Bastun 's þveit . See also Introduction.