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.

Matterdale

Major Settlement in the Parish of Matterdale

Historical Forms

  • Mayerdale c.1250 Lowther
  • Matherdal(e) 1323 Ipm 1419 IpmR
  • Madredale 1380 GDR
  • Maderdale 1487 Ipm
  • Matheresdal', Maderesdale, Mathersdal' 1285 For
  • Mathirdale 1332 SR 1348 Cl 1359 Ipm
  • Madirdale 1379 Carliol
  • Matterdall 1559 CW(OS)i
  • Matterdaille 1560 PR(Greystoke)
  • Matterdale 1615 CW(OS)vii

Etymology

It is so unusual for dale to be compounded with a personal name in this part of England that OE  Mæðhere , which is formally possible as a first element, need hardly be considered seriously. The only substantive words which suit the context are OE  mæddre or ON  maðra , 'madder' (cf. DEPN). Most names in dale are Scandinavian formations, and it is probable that ON  maðra is compounded here.If so, 'madder valley.' The y in the first form is for þ .