East Drayton
Major Settlement in the Parish of East Drayton
Historical Forms
- Draitone 1086 DB
- Magna Drayton 1263 FF
- Estdrayton 1280 Ass
- Est Drayton 1316 FA
- Drayton in the Clay 1340 Ass
- Mikill Drayton 1486–1515 ECP
- Grett Drayton 1541 Wills
- East Drayton al. Magna Drayton 1606 Recov
- Dreitona 1168 P
- Est Dreyton 1304 FF
- Dreitun 1316 Ch
- Drayghton 1287 Ass
- Estdraton 1553 Pat
- Est Dretton 1571 Wills
- Eastdreaton 1597 ib
Etymology
Place-names containing the element dray (OE dræg ) have been discussed in detail by Ekwall in Germanska Namnstudier tillägnade Evald Liden 46 ff. He has suggested that the general use of this element is to denote a place where some form of dragging is involved and that in most cases the meaning is either that of 'portage' or of 'stiff ascent or slope, necessitating dragging.' He would take East and West Drayton to be at the ends of a portage between the Trent and the Idle, but even if the goods were carried partly by boat and partly by carrier, it is difficult to see how such a portage would have been of much practical use. More probably the names originated independently. East Drayton lies along a road which rises fairly steeply as it travels west.