Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Tarente 1086 DB(f.79)

• Tarent(') 1082 France 1189 CartAnt 1246 Ch

• Tarenth HyI France

• Darent 1180–87 ib

• Tarenta l12 AD

• Tarente Loueweni(e)ston', Tarente Louinton' 1280 Ass

• Tarente de Lowyneston 1285 FA

• Tar(r)ent(e) Lo(u)wyn(e)ston 1288 FF 1316 FA 1417 FF

• Tar(r)ent(e) Loweston 1390 1402 Pat

• Tar(r)ent(e) Lounston 1397 Fine 1439 Pat

• Tar(r)ent(e) Launston 1397 IpmR

• Tar(r)ent(e) Lon(e)ston 1412 FA 1443,1455 Pat

• Tar(r)ent(e) Louston Hy5 HarlRoll 1467 IpmR

• Tar(r)ent(e) Lanston 1455 Cl

• Tirant Launceston, Tyrant Launceston 1468 Pat 1472 IpmR

• Terraunt Lawynston alias Tarraunt Launceton 1486 Pat

• Tarrent Launceston 17 Cecil

• Tarrant Lawston 1664 HTax

• Launceston Tarrant 1795 Boswell

• Louineston', Lowyneston', Louynton' 1280 Ass

• Lowynston' 1327 SR

• Launston 1431 FA 1575 Saxton

• Launceton 1547 Ct

Etymology

Named from R. Tarrant, v. Tarrant H. par. supra , RNs. infra ; for the DB identification, v. Eyton 131–2, VCHDo 383.Launceston probably means 'Lēofwine's farm or estate', from the OE  pers.n. Lēofwine and tūn, although since it may be of post-Conquest origin, the first part may rather be the ME  surname Lowin derived from this pers.n. There is mention of a mill here in 1280Ass .