Throckmorton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Throckmorton
Historical Forms
- Throcmortune 11th Hickesii.299 18th
- Trotemertona (sic) 1175 P
- Trochemerton 1176 P
- Trokemerton 1176 P 1208 Fees37 1254 FF
- Trocmaretona 1227 Bracton
- Throkemerton 1227 FF 1275 SR
- Trokemareton 1229 Ch
- Trochmarton 1233 FF
- Trokemertun 1240 WoP
- Trokemarton 1255 Ass
- Throkemarton 1325 Ipm 1396 Bodl78 1415 Pat
- Throgmerton, Throgmarton, Throkmorton 1436–51 Pat
- Throgmarton 1577 Saxton
- Frogmorton 1696 Marr
Etymology
This is a difficult name. If, as seems probable, we ought to take the first part to be throcmer (e ), it is probably more than a coincidence that there is a place called þrocmere (BCS 508), with variant forms þorcmere , þorocmere (BCS 1080), now Rockmoor Pond (Ha). This is a pond, and by Throckmorton there are two old moated areas. If so, it would seem that the whole name must mean 'farm by the þroc -mere.' The exact sense of this word is uncertain, but the late Henry Bradley suggested to Dr G. B. Grundy (Arch. Journ. lxxvi. 186) that the word was connected with the dialectal thurrock and meant drain. This is found apparently by itself in Thurrock (Ess), DBThurruca , Turroc .
It is of course possible that the first element was really þrocmor later weakened to Throcmer -. The element þroc , in the sense suggested, would be equally appropriate with mor . Note also Drockbridge (Ha), þrocbrigg in BCS 393 and Throkbach (v. bæc ) in Alvechurch (RBB ).