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.

Stoulton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Stoulton

Historical Forms

  • Stoltun 840 BCS430 11th DB 1086
  • Stolton(a) c.1086 EveB 1190 Fees36 1208 SR 1275
  • Stolton(a) juxta Watberg' 1276 FF 1454 ADiii
  • Stowelton 1535 VE
  • Stulton 1532,1554 Wills
  • Stoulton 16th Wills
  • Stowton, Stouton 1577 Saxton 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

The first element is clearly OE  stōl , 'seat, throne,' but the sense of the compound is not clear. There can be but little doubt that this curious and otherwise unparalleled compound must be associated with the close neighbourhood of Low Hill or Oswaldslow (supra 89) and with Spetchley and Spechull supra 165–6 and Swinesherd supra 161, all of which have to do with the Hundred-courts of Oswaldslow. The stol must have been some such seat of authority as the Hurstingstone or Abbot's Chair in Huntingdonshire (PN BedsHu 203). 'juxta Watberg' from its position near Wadborough.