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.

Thorpe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Methley

Historical Forms

  • Sowthorp 1351 MethMR
  • the Thorpe by Kelder 1410 ib
  • Thorpe 1592,1600 Meth

Etymology

Thorpe (lost), Sowthorp 1351 MethMR, the Thorpe by Kelder 1410 ib, Thorpe 1592, 1600 Meth, cf. also Thorpedikes 1371, Thorpgreneside 1371 MethMR, Thorplidyate 1473 ib. v. þorp 'outlying farmstead'; it has not been identified, but it was obviously near the Calder and near Pinder Green 129infra , probably where Methley Junction is. 'Sowth' to distinguish it from Thorpe on the Hill 149infra or because it was south in the township.