Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (at) Osmyntone 843 ASCharters

• (apud) Osmingtone 843 BCS739

• Osmentone 1086 DB

• Osmentona Exon

• Osmenton 1393 AD

• Osminton(e), Osmynton(e) 13 Salkeld 1212 Fees 1244 Ass 1280 1285 FA 1288 Ass 1311 Pat 1336 Pat 1341 Pat

• Oselington 1212 P

• Os(e)munton 1288 Ass

• Osmonton 1451 Weld1

• Osmanton 1575 Saxton

• Osseminton 1288 Ass

• Osmyngton(e), Osmington(e) 1291 Tax 1293 Cl 1318 MiltC 1320 FF 1324 Pat

• Osemyngton 1339 Cl 1387 Pat 1543 Weld1

• Osmygton, Osmigton 1392,1393 Weld1

• Esmyngton 1428 FA

Etymology

Probably 'farm called after Ōsmund', from the OE  pers.n. Ōsmund and -ingtūn; the two OE charter forms are of course from late copies. As pointed out by Fägersten 155, Hutch3 2 505 cannot be correct in supposing that 'the vill seems to derive its name from Osmund, its patron saint, and most ancient diocesan, the first Bishop of Salisbury', since St Osmund died in 1099; instead it seems likely that the church at Osmington was dedicated to St Osmund because the p.n. was supposed to contain the bishop's name, v. St Osmund's Church infra , cf. Pancrasweek D 156, Winterborne Farringdon in Winterborne Came par. infra .