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.

Unthank

Early-attested site in the Parish of Holmesfield

Historical Forms

  • Unthank(e) 1286 WollCh

Etymology

Unthank, Unthank (e )1286WollCh , 1491, 1498, 1507 DbAxx, 1545HardCh , from OE  unþanc 'ill-will, displeasure', in p.ns. denoting land held 'against the will' or 'without the consent' of the owner, used to describe a squatter's holding.