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.

The Forty

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cricklade

Historical Forms

  • Vorty 1841 Devizes
  • la Fortye 1281 QW
  • la Fortheye 1289 Ass

Etymology

The Forty (6″) is Vorty 1841Devizes and was the home of Nicholas de la Fortye (1281 QW) and Richard de la Fortheye (1289Ass ). This Forthey , like others described under Forty Green (PN Wo 202–4), thrusts itself out into low-lying marshland. It is a compound of forð , 'forward' and eg . For the first form, v. Introd. xxi. Other examples in the county are to be found in Calcutt Forty infra 44, Forty in Bishopstone infra 286, (Adam) atte Fortheie (1333SR ) in Sherston, (William) atte Fortheye (ib.) in Bremhill, (John) atte Fortheie (ib.) in Pool Keynes, and in pastura voc. Forty 1463Ct in Highworth.