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.

Orrest, Orrest Head

Other OS name in the Parish of Windermere

Historical Forms

  • Orrest 1626 Ct 1636 Dep 1865 OS
  • Orrest Hall 1777 M
  • Orresthead 1707 Ct
  • Oresthede 1530 MinAcct
  • Oresthead 1704 Will
  • Oarest Head 1770 Young

Etymology

, Orrest 1626Ct 103, 1636Dep et freq to 1865 OS, (Orrest Hall ) 1777 M, (Orresthead )1707Ct , Oresthede 1530MinAcct , Oresthead 1704 Will, Oarest Head 1770Young 178 ; this obscure p.n. is possibly from ME  orrest ' battle,struggle ' ( OE  orrest , ON  orrusta ) and may denote ' a place where afight took place ' ( but the context is unknown ) ; a similar p.n. Icel Orustudalur was the place where Hrút Herjólfsson fought against Hǫskuld 's house - carls ( Laxdælasaga , cf. Franzen, LaxdON 101 ) ; v. hēafod ' headland, hill ' .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name