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.

Thornton Bridge

Major Settlement in the Parish of Brafferton

Historical Forms

  • Torenton(e) 1086 DB
  • Thorneton(a) 13 BylA
  • Thorneton(a) brigge 1576 FF
  • Thorenton on Swale 1275 YI

Etymology

Thornton is a common name in Y. It means 'enclosure made of thorn bushes' and is parallel to such compounds as Stockton , Stanton (Stainton ), 'enclosure made of stocks (stone).' v. þorn , tun .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Major Settlement