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.

Milton

Early-attested site in the Parish of East Knoyle

Historical Forms

  • Middelton 1281 Ass
  • Midelton c.1300 Trop
  • Milton juxta Knoell 1445 ib

Etymology

Milton is Middelton 1281Ass , Midelton c. 1300 Trop, Milton juxta Knoell 1445 ib. 'Middle farm,' v. tun . So named in relation to East and West Knoyle. Close at hand is Steeple Copse (6″) (cf. Stepple Close c. 1840TA ), suggesting that Stepelknoel (1228 Cl) was another name for Milton. Steeple is from a lost OE  stīepel , 'steep place,' discussed in PN Ess 226–7.