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.

Anthorn

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bowness

Historical Forms

  • Eynthorn 1279 Ass
  • Aynthorn 1279 Ass 1289 Cl
  • Aynethorn 1292 Pat
  • Anthorne 1580 Border
  • Enthorn 1707 CWiv

Etymology

'Solitary thorn tree,' from ON  ein and þorn. Cf. Aintree (PN La 117). According to W. G. Collingwood (CW xxix, 212) “east of the village and west of the bridge there is a solitary thorn-tree by which (or by its predecessor, for the present tree is not aged) the local court has been used to be held.” Cf. also Court Thorn infra 202.