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.

Allan Tops

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pickering

Historical Forms

  • Aleinetoften 1204 ChR
  • Aleinetoftes 1286 ForP
  • Al(l)antoftes 1408 For 1619 NRS
  • Alainesete 13 Kirkst

Etymology

'Allen's enclosures' v. topt . The name Allen , earlier Alain , was brought into England by the Normans; its origin is OFr  Alain . It enters also into Alain Seat (near Barnoldswick, YWR), Alainesete 13 Kirkst. Allan Tops is the name of a hill on the top of which are a number of ancient enclosures. The alteration of toft to top is due to the fact that these enclosures are on the top of the hill.