Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Lach 1086 DB

• Lak' 1255-6 Ass

• Lack' 1271-2 Ass

• Lakene 1271-2 Ass 1397 Cl

• Laken 1284-5 FA 1529 SBL

• Lacken 1695 Morden

• Lakoun 1439,40 Cl

• Lacon 1577 Saxton

• Lakon 1652 PR(L)

• Lackon 1701 ib

• Laketon 1597,1601 PR(L)

• Leacon 1783 PR(L)

Etymology

This is the dative plural of OE  lacu, which is used in place- names in the senses 'small stream', 'side-channel of a river' and 'drainage channel'. The last seems the appropriate one here.