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.

Luton

Major Settlement in the Parish of Luton

Historical Forms

  • Lygetun 792 BCS264 c.1250
  • Lygtun 917 ASC c.925
  • Ligtun 914 ASC c.1050
  • Loitone 1086 DB 1158 P
  • Luitun, Luytun 1156 P 1279 Ipm c.1300 Gaimar
  • Luiton(a), Luyton 1161 P 1415 BM
  • Luton 1195 FF
  • Lutton 1240 Ass 1342 Ipm 1381 Cl
  • Louytone 1276 Ass
  • Lytone E1 BM
  • Luton al. Lutton 1288 Ipm
  • Lowton 1291 Tax
  • Leuton 1293 Cl
  • Luton al. Luyton 1304 Ipm
  • L(o)ughton 1376 Cl
  • Luton Soke Hy5 ADiii
  • Luton Soken 1590 BM

Etymology

'Farm by the Lea river' v. Lea, R. supra 8. For the terms Soke and Soken , v. Eaton Socon supra 54.