Ratford Fm
Early-attested site in the Parish of Petworth
Historical Forms
- Retford 1249 FF
- La Rudeford, Redeford 1279 Ass
- Rotford c.1280 Perc 1288 Ass 1340 FF 1341 Ass 1348 Perc
- Rotteford 1305 Perc
- Ratford(e) 1296,1327 SR
Etymology
Dr Schram suggests that this may be a compound of OE hreod and ford, hence 'reedy ford.' The d has been unvoiced to t before f as in Bede's Hreutford . For interchange of o and a cf. other parallels s. v. hreod in EPN.