Hackforth
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hornby
Historical Forms
- Acheford(e) 1086 DB
- Akeford 1142–53 RegAlbii.72
- Hacford, Hakford 1184 RichReg 1204 FF 1285 KI 1305 Ch 1350 FF
- Ha(c)keford 1276 RegAlbii.18d 1282 Ipm 1283 Rich
- Hacceford 1283 Rich
- Hackfourth 1565 FF
Etymology
Despite the two earlier spellings, initial H - is organic (cf. Zachrisson, Some Yorkshire Place -Names in Språkvetenskapliga Sällskapets förhandlingar , 1925–7, p. 37). The first element is probably OE hæcc used of 'a hatch, a floodgate or sluice'; and the whole name may be descriptive of a ford at which there is a hatch to stop animals from being carried down stream. For possible further examples of this name v. Hackford (PN NbDu 98).