Dorset 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 13^th 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 13^th 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 11^th 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 13^th century.

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