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.

St Michael's Mount

Other OS name in the Parish of Workington and Workington Rural

Historical Forms

  • Watch Chapell 1569 SP
  • St Michael's Chappel 1731 Work

Etymology

overlooks the sea and was apparently the site of a medieval station for guarding the coast . The chapel which is recorded on this site as Watch Chapell 1569SP , St Michael 's Chappel 1731Work , was dedicated to St Michael , patron of high places . St Michael 's Mount may have received its present name in imitation of the well - known St Michael 's Mount in Cornwall , but the connection of the site with St Michael is probably of high antiquity . Whellan records a How Michael on or near this site .