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 .