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.

Matford Ho

Early-attested site in the Parish of Exminster

Historical Forms

  • Matforda 1086 DB
  • Matheford early13th StNicholas
  • Mathforde c.1234 NGl3,190
  • Mat(te)ford' 1242 Fees785,793 1332 Ipm
  • Mateforde 1250 NGl2,191
  • Matford 1301 Ipm
  • Spek 1303 FA

Etymology

Professor Ekwall suggests that this is a compound of OE  mægðe , 'mayweed,' or mægða (gen. pl.), 'maidens' and ford . For 'maidens' ford,' cf. Maidenford supra 26.

Places in the same Parish