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.

Natson

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cheriton Bishop

Historical Forms

  • Gnattesdon 1330 SR

Etymology

This could mean 'hill of the gnat' (v. dun ), but more likely the first element is a pers. name Gnæt , derived from the insect, cf. Gnatington (Nf), Gnatinctone , Gnatingtona 1101–19 (14th), Gnatingetone 12th BM, and Knettishall (Sf), Ghenetessala DB, Gnateshale 1190 P. The surname Gnatte occurs in Wiltshire in 1333 (SR ).