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.

Northey

Early-attested site in the Parish of Whittlesey

Historical Forms

  • (le) Northe(e) 1280–1334 Thorney 1398 1457 Rental
  • Northey 1550 Pat
  • Northea 1636 BedL

Etymology

Northey is (le ) Northe (e )1280–1334Thorney , 1398Ct , 1457Rental , Northey 1550 Pat, Northea 1636 BedL. Northey is by Cat's Water.The early forms point to ēa rather than ēg as the second element, Cat's Water al. Must may well have been called 'north river' here as distinct from the Southmust , v. supra 8. In its lower course it was known as Old Ea and South Ea. v. Old South Eau supra 10.