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.

Lassington

Major Settlement in the Parish of Lassington

Historical Forms

  • Lessedvne 1086 DB
  • Lessedon' 1220 Fees
  • Lassendon(e) 12,13 Glouc 1237 Bracton 1287,1306 Ass 1535 VE
  • Lassindon(e), Lassyndon(e) 1281 Cl 1291 Tax 1326 FF 1400 Pat
  • Lassingdon(e), Lassyngdon(e) 1287 Ass 1316 FA 1461–85 ECP
  • Lassedune, Lassedon(e) c.1220 GlR c.1270 For 1277 GlChv,13
  • Lessendon 1264 Ipm
  • Lassington' 1287 Ass 1465 Pat 1697 PR

Etymology

Probably 'the smaller hill', from OE  lǣssa (obl. lǣssan ) and dūn , doubtless so called in contrast to a larger hill on the other side of the R. Leadon in Maisemore. Cf. Lasborough (i, 114supra ), Lesseworthe (162infra ). Medial -in (g )-, which is of somewhat later appearance in the spellings than -e (n )-, is analogical. Ekwall suggests that the first el. in both names is an OE  pers.n. Leaxa in an AN  or a hypocoristic form Leassa .