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.

Howcans

Early-attested site in the Parish of Halifax

Historical Forms

  • the Holcan 1307 WCR
  • Holkanleghis 1313 ib
  • Holcans, Holkans 1329 WCR 1360 WCR
  • Holcannes 1485,1525 ib
  • Hollecannes 1551 ib
  • Neitherholekans 1586 WillY
  • South Howcans 1719 Watson

Etymology

Howcans, the Holcan 1307 WCR, Holkanleghis 1313 ib, Holcans , Holkans 1329 WCR, 1360WCR , Holcannes 1485, 1525 ib, Hollecannes 1551 ib, Neitherholekans 1586 WillY, South Howcans 1719 Watson 630.'Hollow depression', v. hol 2 , canne 'a can', also with a topographical sense (v. EPN i, 80), cf. also Long Canns f.n. in Ovenden 121infra .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name