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.

Downton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Downton

Historical Forms

  • Duntun 672 BCS 12th 826 12th ib
  • (in) Duntune 948 ib
  • Duntune 955 15th ib
  • æt Duntune 997 KCD599 12th
  • Duntone 1086 DB 1159 P
  • Duneton 1198 P
  • Donton 1290 Pap
  • Dounton 1327 Pat 1332 SR
  • Est Dounton 1376 FF
  • Estdounton 1433 FF
  • Est Downton 1547 SR
  • Eastedowneton 1585 FF
  • Dunkton or Dounton 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

'Farm by the down-land,' v. dun , tun .