Hothorpe
Major Settlement in the Parish of Theddingworth
Historical Forms
- Vdetorp 1086 DB
- Hudtorp 1235 Fees
- Huttorp c.1155 Dane 1202 Ass
- Huttorph c.1200 ib
- Hutthorpe(e) e.13 BM 1275 RH
- Hutorp 1203 FF
- Huthorp 1220 Fees
- Huhthorp 1242 Fees
- Huchtorp' 1247 Ass
- Hohttorp 1302 Ipm
- Hokthorp 1303 Pat
- Hucthorp 1331 AD
- Hothorp(e) 1247 Ass 1284 FA 1295 Cl 1706 Terrier
- Houthorp' 1261 Ass
- Howthorpe 1576 Saxton
- Hoothorpe 1601 Terrier 1617 FF
- Holthorp(e) 1674,1679,1690 Terrier
Etymology
For this difficult name, Ekwall DEPN proposes the meaning 'Hūda's thorpe', with þorp 'a farmstead' and the OE masc. pers.n. Hūda . But this does not explain those forms with medial h , ch , k and c . Fellows-Jensen (SSNEM 111) suggests alternatively as the specific either an unrecorded OE hūc or an unrecorded Scand cognate hūk , both meaning 'a promontory', referring to the shape of the higher ground on which Hothorpe stands. A third possibility, which would suit the site admirably, is 'farmstead on the spur of land', with the specific as hōh , since the d of the 1086 and 1235 forms may be a result of the inability of Anglo- Norman scribes to deal with OE h and ME gh ; but in this case the early u spellings are problematical (v. Nth 115–16).
Hothorpe was once part of the ancient parish of Theddingworth, even though lying in Northants. beyond the river Welland. Hothorpe Hall of c.1800 was the residence of the later lords of the manor of Theddingworth.