Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Maeltuna 1086 DB

• Melton 1197 P 1275 RH 1302,1316,1346 FA 1315 Ipm

• Melton (Constable) 1320 Ch

• Melton (Conestable) 1355 Pat 1359,1361,1363 FF

• Melton (Cunstable) 1376 ib

• Meauton 1198,1212 ib

• Meauton 1200 ib

• Meautona 1227 Bract

• Mealton 1230 Cl

• Meltone Constab' 1233 Fees

• Meuton 1254–75 Val

• Meutone 1257 Ass

• Cunstables Melton 1285 FF

• Meltone 1333 SR

• Meltone (Cunstable) 1359 Jessop

• Melton Counstabill 1535 VE

Etymology

According to the usually accepted explanation, this name has been interpreted as 'farmstead or village with a crucifix', v. tūn and mǣl 1 'sign, cross'. Technically the first element could also be mǣl 2 'speech'.The place was held by the Constable of the Bishop of Norwich. Members of the family De Melton sometimes wrote themselves De Constable as holders of this office (Blomefield IX415).