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.

Acton Burnell

Major Settlement in the Parish of Acton Burnell

Historical Forms

  • Actune 1086 DB
  • Akton' Burnell 1198 FF
  • Acton' 1242 Fees
  • Acton' Burnel 1255 RH
  • Actonbornell 1458 Fine
  • Acton Bornell 1461 Cl
  • Ackton Bornel 1716 PR(H)
  • Acton Burnhill 1742 PR(H)
  • Akerton' 1229 Cur

Etymology

This place and Acton Piggott may reasonably be seen as a single instance of the place-name Acton, though by the time of the Domesday Survey two considerable estates, of 3½ hides and 3 hides respectively, had become established in the hypothetical area once known as 'oak farm or estate'. DB does not mention woodland under Acton Burnell, but for Acton Piggott wood for 20 swine is noted. VCH VIII, p.3, says that woodland has been an enduring feature of the parish landscape, most of it lying on Acton Burnell Hill.