Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Tog(e)lestun, Tog(e)leston 1086 DB

• Tolestuna 12 Whitby 1115–25,1133–44 YCh530–1

• Tholestun 1100–16 YCh529

• Thouleston' 1243 Fees

• Tollestun, Tolleston 1141–50 YCh532 1167 P 1198 Cur 1285 KI 1362 FF 1436 Testii 1486 FF

• Tolliston 1379 PT

• Tauleston(a) 1145–8 Whitby 1214 OblR

• Toulest', Toulestuna, Touleston 1160–75 YCh 1166 P 1175–90 YCh 1190 P 13 Heal33 1328 Banco

• Toflestun 1165–75 YCh1634

• Tulueston' 1196 P

• Towlston 1557 WillY

Etymology

The variations in the earlier spellings (Taul -, Tofl -, etc.) are attempts to represent the vocalised development of the pers.n. Toglos to ME  Toules -. This name is recorded in OE as that of a Danish jarl slain at Tempsford (ASC 921A) and is an OE form of an ON  byname Toglauss or Tauglauss , which is not recorded in Scandinavian sources; it would mean something like 'ropeless' (that is, one who has no rope for his ship), cf. Björkman, NP 142. 'Farmstead of Toglos ', v. tūn .