Boldron
Major Settlement in the Parish of Startforth
Historical Forms
- Bolrum 1175–88 Leon22d,13
- Bolerum Scletes 1204 FF
- Bolerum sletes 1258 Easby
- Bulrun 1280 YI 1283 Rich
- Bolron 1285 KI 1302 Leon22 1577 Saxton
- Boldron 1285 YI
- Boleron 1301 LS
- Bolerom 1316 Vill
- Bolrun 1349 FF
- Boldram 1564 FF
Etymology
'Forest-clearing where steers were kept' from ON boli 'steer' and rum. This name is identical with Bowerham (PN La 174–5).Here, as in that name, there is variation between forms with final n and m. Professor Ekwall (loc. cit .) suggests for the La p.n. that the suffix is ON runnr 'brake, thicket' and that the final m is due to assimilation to the initial labial or to association with names in -ham and -rum .