Langford
Major Settlement in the Parish of Langford
Historical Forms
- Landeford(e) 1086 DB t.Hy1 DurhamDandC 1201 Cur 1206 FineR 1216 ClR 1258 Ass 1399 Fine
- Landefort early13th HMCVarvii
- Laundeford 1252 Ch 1546 LP
- Londeford 1276 RH
- Landeforth 1327 Ipm
- Landford(e) 1327 Pat 1556 FF
- Landforth 1451 Pat
- Lanforth 1472 BM
- Lanford(e) 1577,1580 Ct
- Langford 1630 FF
- Langford al. Landford 1630 Moulton
- Langford oth. Lanford 1735 ib
Etymology
Ekwall (DEPN) suggests that the first element in this name is a personal name Landa (cf. OGer Lando ), a pet form of such a name as Landfrið , Landwine . Hence 'Landa 's ford.' Later there was confusion with the common adj. lang . For similar confusion cf. the history of Landford (PN W 386–7). The suggestion of a personal name Landa is supported by the reference in the charter of Henry 1 to land in Landeleie que fuit Rannulfi de Landeforde . This suggests that the leah or 'woodland clearing,' as well as the ford, were named after a person bearing the name Landa .