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.

Duvale Barton

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bampton

Historical Forms

  • Deuual 1185 P
  • Deuval(e) 1239 FF 1242 Fees793 1284,1394 Ass
  • Devale 1284 Ass
  • Dyeuale 1356 FF
  • Douwal 1303 FA

Etymology

This is probably a Celtic name, though it cannot refer to any stream, the place being on the Exe. The elements may correspond to the British du , 'black,' and bâl , 'peak, prominence,' referring to the curiously shaped hill here between the Exe and the Batherm.