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.

Hunworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hunworth

Historical Forms

  • Huneworda, Huneuurde, Hunaworda 1086 DB
  • Huneworde 1199 Fees
  • Huneworhd 1201 RC
  • Hunewurh 1212 FF
  • Hunewrth 1213 NCReg 1250 Ass
  • Huneworth 1223 Cur 1272 NoRec 1287 Ipm 1333 SR 1381 Pat
  • Huneswrth 1228 FF
  • Hunneworth 1250 Ass
  • Hunesworth 1254–75 Val
  • Honesworthe 1257 Ass
  • Hunewrthe 1269,1286 ib
  • Honeworth(e) 1275 RH 1286 Ass 1286 Ipm 1302,1316,1346 FA 1321 FF 1344 Pat 1383 HMC
  • Honewrth(e) 1286 Ass 1330 SR
  • Hunworthe 1288 NoLeet

Etymology

'Hūna 's worð' is the generally accepted explanation (DEPN, Mills).The OE pers.n. is evidenced both as Huna and Hunna . There was also a strongly inflected alternative Hūn (v. Redin 17, 67). The second element, OE  worð, is attested in very early sources and among noteworthy meanings suggested are 'enclosure, enclosed settlement'.