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Place-Names


Where do these local place-names come from?

Blandford Forum – a ford where ‘blay’ which are small fresh water fish could be found. ‘Forum’ comes from the Latin for a market. In the 13th century, the town was known as ‘Cheping Blandford’, from the Old English for market.

Bryanston – from the Old English meaning ‘Brian’s estate’. This is named after the man who held this estate in the 13th century. ‘Tun’ is Old English and means ‘farm, estate or village’.

Winterborne Stickland – ‘estate on the River Winterborne with a steep hill.’ A Winterborne is a winter stream.

Langton – a ‘long village, farm or estate.

Tarrant Gunville – ‘estate on the River Tarrant held by the Gundeville family.’

Pimperne – first mentioned in the year 935 and probably comes from the Old Celtic meaning ‘five trees’.

Thorncombe – the ‘valley where thorn trees grow.

Shroton – ‘sheriff’s estate or farm.’ The sheriff being Baldwin of Exeter in the 11th century.

Tarrant Monkton – ‘estate on the River Tarrant belonging to monks.’

Shapwick – from the Old English for ‘sheep farm’.

Stourpaine‘estate on the River Stour held by the Payn family.

Baileee Gate – a bailiff may have had land here on the banks of the River Stour.

Durweston – ‘farm held by a man called Deorwine.’

Sturminster Marshall – ‘the church on the River Stour’ where William Mareschal lived in the 13th century.

(Source: Place-Names by A D Mills) (Illustration: early Blandford Forum)

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