Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ancarig (igland) 656 ASC c.1150

• Ancraig (nunc… Dornig) 973 BCS1297 14th

• Ancraeie nunc Thorneya c.1151 Thorney

• into þornige, æt þornige, on þornige, to þornige c.960 BCS1131 c.1200 ASCh c.972 Saints c.1000 ASC 1049 c.1100

• (on) þornege 1049 ASC c.1050

• Đorneye c.1050 KCD904 c.1350

• (of) þorneie 1066 ASC c.1150

• Thorneia 1086 InqEl

• Thorneiæ propter condensitatem dumorum vocata c.1125 WMP

• Thornee 1217 Pat

• Thorney(e) 1227 Ch

• Tornyg, Torny 1086 DB

• Torneia, Torneie, Torney(e) c.1109,1113 NthCh 1235 Ely

• Tornay 1235 Cl

• Thornheia c.1250 MP

Etymology

Originally this was 'hermit-island' from OE  ancor , ancra , 'hermit, recluse, anchorite.' Cf. Ankerwyke (PN Bk 245). Later 'island covered with thorn bushes,' v. þorn , ēg . Cf. Thorney (PN Mx 165), the name of the site of Westminster Abbey. v. Addenda lx.