Bonhunt
Early-attested site in the Parish of Wicken Bonhunt
Historical Forms
- Banhuntā 1086 DB
- Banhunt(e) 1141 BM 12th WAM
- Bonhunt(e) 1236 Fees 1261 FF 1340 Pat 1412 FA
- Bonhonte 1300 Ipm
- Borehunte 1278 Ass
Etymology
This is a very difficult name. Ekwall (Essays in honour of James Tait , 82–3) would take the hunte in this and other similar names to be for OE huntan , 'huntsmen.' A lost OE hunte is also possible. Cf. land of le Hunte (1235 FF) in Little Bardfield.
In view of the history of Tolleshunt supra 306–7 it is possible also to suggest that the final element may be funta , 'spring' or 'stream,' used with reference to Bonhunt Water (6″). No satisfactory suggestion can be offered as to the interpretation of the first element.