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.

Routh

Major Settlement in the Parish of Routh

Historical Forms

  • Rute 1086 DB
  • Rutha 1086 DB 1154–91,t.Hy2,1155–7 YCh 1180–1200 Bridl 1205 ChR
  • Rud' 12th Meaux
  • Ruda 12th Nunkeel 1150–60 Melsa 1151,1172,1204 Meaux 13th Bridl c.1265 KF 1372–96 Melsa
  • Rue 12th Nunkeel 1204 Ass 1260 Rental 1273,1275 Ebor 1285 KI 1290 Ch 1293 Meaux
  • Ruwe 1231 FF
  • Rowth(e) 1210–20,1221–35,c.1400 Melsa 1546 YChant 1564 FF
  • Ruthe 1316 NomVill
  • Routh(e) 1293 QW 1297 LS 1302 Ebor 1828 Langd
  • Routh(e) in Holdernes 1533 Bev

Etymology

The various spellings point to an original form Rūð , but it is difficult to suggest a suitable etymon. Of the various possibilities the less unlikely include OScand  hrúðr 'scurf,' which has a topographical sense in the compound hrúðr -karl used of a sort of shale on a cliff on the sea-coast. The spellings Rue are due to AN  loss of medial -th - (cf. IPN 110).

Places in the same Parish