Moreton Pinkney
Major Settlement in the Parish of Moreton Pinkney
Historical Forms
- Morton(e) 1086 DB
- Morton juxta Assheby Canonicorum 1317 Ass
- Morton Pynkenye 1346 Cl
- Geldenemortone 1219 WellsR
- Guldenemortone 1225 WellsR 1341 Cl
- Gildene Mortone 1226 WellsR
- Gilden Moreton 1296 Cl
- Guyldenmorton 1343 Ipm
- Moreton al. Moreton Pynckney al. Gyles Moreton 1590 Recov
Etymology
'Farm by the marshy place,' v. mor , tun . The family of Pinkeni is first mentioned in connection with the place in 1199 (FF). It borders on Weedon Lois or Pinkney which was the head of the Honour of Pinkney. The family of Pinchengi (DB) came from Picquigny in Picardy. The change from Picquigny to Pinkney is of interest, for, as Round notes (VCH i, 291–2), the pronunciation of this name was a test-word for the English, who were never able to pronounce it. It was used as such for their recognition when they were expelled from Ponthieu and, as late as 1489, a Frenchman, employed in London, writes “Anglais aussi tant soit cure Ne formera bien Pinqueny.”
No certain explanation of Geldene -, Guldene -, Gildene - can be offered. It may be that we should take it to be the common adj. gylden , 'golden,' in which case, as Professor Ekwall suggests, it might perhaps denote a specially wealthy manor, cf. Addenda, supra lii s. n. Peterborough.