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.

Ely Porta

Early-attested site in the Parish of Ely College

Historical Forms

  • porta monachorum c.1300 ElyCh
  • novas portas 1397 Bentham
  • portas magnas 1404 Ct
  • Ely Porta 1509 Wren
  • Elyeporte 1566 Ct
  • Walpols Gate House c.1840 TA
  • Stonegate 1438 Plea

Etymology

Ely Porta (6″) is porta monachorum c. 1300ElyCh , novas portas 1397 Bentham, portas magnas 1404Ct , Ely Porta 1509Wren , Elyeporte 1566Ct , Walpols Gate House c. 1840TA . The first reference must be to an earlier gate, for the present great Gate of the Monastery was begun by Prior Bucton (1366–97) and completed by his successor, William Walpole . Here were held the manor courts of the Prior and of the Abbey (Bentham i, 222, ii, 50). Also known as Stonegate (1438Plea ).

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Major Settlement