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.

Oran

Early-attested site in the Parish of Catterick

Historical Forms

  • Archorouen e.12 Dugdiii.603
  • Archorhouen 13 Easby

Etymology

This name is not clear, though it seems probable that the first element is ON  erg 'shieling' and that the second element is a pers. name of obscure origin, the whole name being a case of Irish-Norwegian reversal of elements (cf. Miregrim 241 supra ).