Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Westhā (sic) 1086 DB

• Wetstan l.12 Dane 1225 Fine 1255 Cl

• Wethstan p.1204 Hastings 1220×35 Berkeley

• Hwetstan 1220 Cur 1255 Ipm

• Whetstan 1156 Ch 1318

• Westan p.1204 Hastings 1205 ClR c.1250 BM 1277 Hastings

• Wetston 1220 MHW 1280×92 Wyg 13 Peake

• Wheston(e) e.13 GarCart 1226 RHug 1255 Cl 1295 Wyg 1313 Win 1326 Fisher 1550 Pat 1578 LEpis 1607 LML

• Weston(e) 1254 Val 1277 Hastings 1292 Wyg 1502 MiscAccts 1537 MinAccts

• Wiston 1280×92(p),c.1300 Wyg

• Wyston 1280×92(p),1295(p),1298 ib

• Whetston 1576 Saxton 1585 LibCl 1610 Speed

• Whetstone 1642 LML

Etymology

Literally, 'Whetstone', v. hwet-stān. The name may refer to an ancient standing stone (as nearby Humberstone, Lei 3133) used for the honing of large agricultural implements such as scythes, but likelier, there may have been a local source of materials suitable for use as whetstones. Indeed, cropping out at intervals in this region are several small bosses of a very fine-grained syenite, such as in adjoining Cosby and Narborough parishes. Soft sandstones and clays are otherwise dominant.