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.

Egremont

Major Settlement in the Parish of Egremont

Historical Forms

  • Egremont c.1125 StB c.1180 Hesley
  • Echermund c.1130 StB
  • Egermund c.1205 CW(OS)i 1327 Ipm
  • Egermond 1294 Cl
  • Egermount 1338 StB
  • Egremunt c.1135 Lowther 1281 FF
  • Egremund c.1160 StB 1317 Misc
  • Egremond 1231 FF 1291 Tax 1428 FA
  • Egremound(e) 1278 Ass c.1310 BM
  • Agremunt c.1165 StB
  • Agremonde 1537 CW(OS)xiv
  • burgenses de Acrimonte c.1200 CW(OS)i
  • Eggermuth 1260 Cl
  • Egyrmunde 1278 StB
  • Egirmond 1363 Ipm
  • Egirmound 1386 Pat

Etymology

This is an artificial name, representing a French compound aigre mont , 'sharp-pointed hill.' At least three examples of the name Aigremont are recorded in France, in Gard, Haute-Mame and Yonne (Gröhler ii, 74), but no connection has been traced between any of the places so named and the early medieval lords of Copeland. It is probable that the name was a new formation, descriptive of the castle site.