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.

Dowthwaitehead

Early-attested site in the Parish of Matterdale

Historical Forms

  • Dowethweyt 1285 For
  • Dowthwate in Maderdale 1487 Ipm
  • Dowthate Head 1563 PR(Greystoke)
  • Dowthwaite Head 1568 ib

Etymology

v. þveit . The first element is probably the personal name Dufa or Dufe which occurs somewhat frequently in early documents from the Danelaw. It may represent either the ON  feminine name Dúfa , literally 'dove,' or an unrecorded English equivalent.