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.

Armaside

Early-attested site in the Parish of Lorton

Historical Forms

  • Harmondesheved 1368 Ipm
  • Hermudesheved 1369 ib
  • Hermethside 1578 Cocker
  • Armesyde 1600 CW(OS)xii
  • Armaside 1608 ib
  • Harmeside 1647 ib

Etymology

The two medieval forms vary too widely for any certain explanation, but the name may contain the ON  personal name Hermundr . The second element is OE  hēafod, 'head.' The later forms have clearly been influenced by ME  ermite , 'hermit,' found in the various Armathwaites in the county.