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.

Rather Heath

Early-attested site in the Parish of Kendal

Historical Forms

  • Ratherheved 1348 Kendi,323 1349 Cl
  • Ratherhead(e) 1570 1731 ib
  • Ratherheath 1836 KCR
  • Roderhead 1584 HMCx,304
  • Roadridd 1709 Kendiii,159
  • Rodreth 1720 ib
  • Raderhead 1579 NB 1580 Kendi,157 1717 Ct
  • Radridd 1709 Kendiii,143

Etymology

The first el. could be ON  rǫð (gen.sg. raðar ) 'bank, ridge, long ridge of gravel, etc.' which is found in some Norw p.ns. (cf. NGIndl 73, Radøen NG xi, 401), but as hēafod 'headland, hill' is locally often combined with a pers.n. we might have the OG  pers.n. Rather , which is found in English sources as Rader , Rather , and Ra (h )er (cf Forssner 206).

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name