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.

Kirkbampton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Kirkbampton

Historical Forms

  • Banton(a) c.1185 Weth 1201 Cur 1210 Scotland 1276 Ass 1440 FF 1547 Ct
  • Bantun 1210 Cur c.1230 Weth
  • Bamton' 1201 Cur 1291 Tax
  • Bampton 1227 FF 1260 Pap
  • Magna 1352 Carliol
  • Kyrkebampton' 1292 Ass
  • Kirkebanton 1314 Pat
  • Kyrkbanton 1333 Misc 1485 Orton
  • Kirkbampton 1372 FF
  • Kirkbanton 1589 LRMB 1721 CW(OS)vii

Etymology

A compound of OE  bēam, 'tree,' and tūn, probably referring to a tūn , whether a farm or village, in the neighbourhood of some prominent tree. Identical with Bampton (O and We). Kirk (v. kirkja ), 'church,' is an alternative name for Great Bampton.