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.

Hawton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hawton

Historical Forms

  • Holtone 1086 DB
  • Houtune ib.
  • Houton(e) t.Hy2 HMCVarvii 1204 Cur 1228,1235 Ebor 1259 Pap 1351 Pat
  • Houton(e) juxta Newerk 1273,1299 FF 1280 Ass
  • Houcton 1257 FF(L)
  • Hautone sus Trente 1270 BM
  • Hawton 1291 Tax
  • Hawton juxta Newerke 1555 FF
  • Haweton 1485 ib
  • Howton 1346 FA
  • Howeton 1484 FF

Etymology

This is a difficult name and it is clear that there has been confusion in its later sound development. Ekwall's derivation from OE  holhtun , 'farm in the hollow,' would not be inappropriate for the place as seen from higher ground, as at Cotham.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site