Harton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bossall
Historical Forms
- Heretun(e) 1086 DB
- Harton(a) 1293 For
- Haretona 1308 Ch
Etymology
v. tun . The first element is not clear. One possibility is that the first element is OE here 'marauding band of more than 35 men.' In this case Harton would indicate an enclosure which had been or might be frequented by such a band.
In view of the rarity of compounds with here we should consider the second possibility that the first element is a personal name of some form like Her (r )a , a possible hypocoristic form of a personal name such as OE Hereric , Herred , etc.