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.

Laithwaite (field)

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cockermouth

Historical Forms

  • Leycheld 1300 Cl
  • Leychell 1300 Ipm
  • Ouerlatheld, Netherlatheld iuxta Cokermouth 1519 FF
  • Laythell iuxta Cokermouth 1570 ExchKR
  • Latheldes 1578 Cocker
  • High, Low Laithed 1688 ib
  • Low Lythwaite 1737 CWxxiii
  • Latholds 1578 Cocker

Etymology

These fields are at the west end of Cockermouth. This is probably 'barn slope.' v. hlaða , helde , the second element being replaced by the more familiar þveit . Cf. Laythild c. 1330Hesley , in Clifton, and Latholds 1578Cocker , in Lorton.