Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Witenai 1086 DB 1130 P

• Witena c1115 LS

• Witene 1178,1191,1193,1194 P 1202 FF 1257 Ch

• Wytene 1242–43 Fees

• Witen 1212 Fees 1275 RH

• Wyten 1250 Ipm 1264 RRGr 1272 Ass 1279 RRGr 1303 FF 1308 YDviii

• Wytyn 1416 Pat

• Wytten' 1254 ValNor

• Whyten Hy3 YDix 1291 Tax 1323 FF 1401–2,1428,1431 FA

• Whyten' 1329 Ass

• Whiten 1276 RH 1316,1330 FA 1363,1368 Ipm 1373,1374 Peace 1374,1405 Pat 1405 Cl 1428 FA 1431 Fine

• Whityn 1291 Ch 1373 Peace

• Whitene 1303 FA 1327 Ipm 1342 Cl

• Whytten' 1332 SR

• Whitten 1432 LNQxii 1439 Cl 1444 WillsPCC 1697 Pryme

• Wyton 1242–43 Fees

• Wyton 1360 Peace

• Wytton' 1294 Ass

• Wyton 1521 Willsiii 1535 VEiv 1587 LNQv

• Witton' 1375 Peace

• Whiton' 1373 Peace

• Whiton 1406 Inqaqd

• Whitton 1402 FA 1526 Sub 1547 Pat 1562 Surv 1576 Saxton 1610 Speed 1652 WillsPCC

• Whytton 1402 FA 1547 Pat

• Whittone 1577 Terrier

Etymology

'Hwīta's island of land' from the OE  pers.n. Hwīta and ēg 'island of land'. Ekwall's alternative suggestion 'white island' can be ruled out on topographical grounds since the ground is not chalky here. On the other hand the church is situated on a distinct island of land, an excellent ēg- site.