Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bodelton(e) 1086 DB 12 Kirkst

• Botheltona 12 StB

• Boulton(a) 1120–47 Dugdvi 1155–7 YChvii 1190–1210 1205,1219 FF 1257 Ch 1270 Ebor 1689 PRBl

• Boulton(a) in Craven(e), Boulton(a) in Crauen 1257 Ch 1265–85 YChvii 1286 Ebor 1328 Ch

• Boulton(a) Chanons 1611 FF

• Boelton(a) c.1140 Dugdvi 1152–5 YChvii 1184 BM 1186 YChvi 1189–95 1219 Kirkst 1233 Ebor 1261–7 YChvii

• Bohelton l.12 YDi

• Booltun l.12 Font

• Bouelton 1222 FF

• Bowelton 1233 FF

• Bolton 1246–66 Furn 1272 Baild 1428 FA

• Bolton in Craven(e) 1285 Baild 1291 Tax 1302 Pat 1468 RipAct

• Bolton de Chanons in Cravyn 1445 TestLds

• Bolton in Canons 1569 Thn 1656 PRHept

• Bolton in Channons 1583 WillY 1607 PRSk

• Bolton Abbey 1586 BM

• Abbye of Bolton, Bolton Abbye 1672 Dep

Etymology

'An enclosure with its buildings', v. bōðl-tūn. Cf. Bolton upon Dearne i, 83supra for an explanation of the variant forms Boel -, Bohel -, Bouel -, etc. For the earlier affix v. Craven 1supra . There was here a priory of Augustinian Canons founded in the twelfth century, and the place was therefore known as Bolton in C (h )anons (from ME  canoun, chanoun 'canon' from ONFr  canoine , OCFr  chanoine ); later in popular usage it was called Bolton Abbey from the remains of the fabric of the priory.