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.

High and Low Lorton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Lorton

Historical Forms

  • Loretona c.1150 Lowther
  • Loretuna 1171–5 CWiii 1333
  • Loreton 1230 Scotland
  • Lortun(a) c.1160 StB
  • Lorton(e) 1197,1198 P
  • parua 1279 Ass
  • in Braythweit 1316 Ipm
  • Overlorton 1365 Pat
  • Lorton Inferior 1399 IpmR
  • Lortonhighside 1596 FF
  • Nether Lorton 1597 CW(OS)xii
  • Oud Lorton 1669 PR
  • Lorenton' 1195 FF
  • Loorton 1540 MinAcct
  • Lurton, Lowe Lurton 1570 ExchKR

Etymology

v. tūn . For the first element Ekwall (DEPN) suggests ON  Hlóra , 'roaring,' found as a Norwegian stream-name Lora (Elvenavne 148) and as a mythical feminine personal name.