Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hytona c.1210 Furness 1201–30 DuLa

• Hitun c.1230 Furness

• Hyton 1251 FF c.1275 StB 1588 FF

• Hyton' 1279 Ass 1292 Ass

• Hytun 13th ADiv

• Hiton 1320 1461 HMCx 1526 DuLa

• Hiton and Oldhiton 1358 ADiv

• Hyton in Botyll in Caupeland 1366 ib

• Hitone 1537 DuLa

• Hyton al. Old Hyton 1576 FF

• Hytten in Bottell

• Hitton 1531–3 ECP

• Huyton 1503,1526 Norfolk 1538 DuLa

Etymology

As suggested by Ekwall (DEPN), this is probably OE  hȳð -tūn , 'tūnby the landing stage, or hithe.' Huyton (La) is another example of this compound. The position of Hyton suits this derivation. Old Hyton, which must be the original settlement, stands on the Annaside Beck, a mile from the sea. At the present time this stream turns abruptly north-westwards below Hyton, and flows for a considerable distance parallel to and very near to the shore line. But the presumption is that this curious deflection is due to changes in the coastal levels, and that the river was originally easily navigable, at least as far as Old Hyton. The forms show two examples—Hytten and Hitton—of the vowel shortening which would be expected of a compound of hȳð and tūn (v. PN La 113), and are otherwise compatible with derivation from hȳð . The situation of the place, 50 feet above sea level, and overlooked by high fells a short distance to the east, rules out derivation from OE  hē (a )h , 'high.'