Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Rauth(e)worth(e) 1189–1201 Kendi,397 1459 ib

• Raudhewrdha c.1210 Lowth(Ke6)

• Rauthesworth 1440 Kendi,361

• Rowth(e)worth(e) 1189–1201 Kendi,397 1301,1534 ib

• Rowewurt 1255–72 Kendi,356

• Routh(e)worth(e) 1292 Ass7d 1301,1332 Kendi,356–8 1358 Fine 1373 ChancM 1401 Cl

• Rotheworthe 1374 Kendi,359

• Rotherworth 1541 ib

• Rawthwo(o)rth 1431,1567 Kendi,360,367 1566 FF 1706 Ct

• Rawthwo(o)rth in Underbarrowe 1619 FF

• Rathworth in Underbarrowe 1616 Kendi,368 1625 FF

Etymology

This place has not been exactly located; thrice it is described as in the neighbouring parish of Helsington (1358 Fine 82, 1373ChancM 4, 1374 Kend i, 359), but it was in the bounds of Cunswick (1189–1201 Kend i, 397) and in 1567, 1616 and 1619 it is placed in Underbarrow.The name means 'Rauthi's enclosure', v. worð (of which this is the only example in We and Cu). The first el. is the ON byn. Rauði 'the red one', but it is possible that this has replaced an earlier OE  *Rēada found in p.ns. like Reading (Brk); such substitutions occur in p.ns. like Rawcliff (YN 146), etc., where ON  rauðr has replaced OE  rēad 'red' (cf. esp. YW vii, 50–1).