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.

Raker Closes

Early-attested site in the Parish of Wheldrake

Historical Forms

  • Raythker, Raithker 13th Warter 1261,1290 Font
  • Redker 1253 Font

Etymology

Raker Closes (6″) is Raythker , Raithker 13thWarter , 1261, 1290 Font.The first element is OScand  reyðr , a derivative of rauðr 'red'; cf. Norw  Rødvatnet (older Reyðuvatn , Heggstad s.v. reyðr ).'Red marsh,' v. kiarr . The name is found in a hybrid English form as Redker 1253 Font.