Hampton (place name)


The place name Hampton is of Old English origin and is common in England, particularly in the South of England and Central England. It can exist as a name in its own right or as a prefix or suffix. The name suggests a farm settlement, especially one where pastoral farmers keep livestock on flood-meadow pastures.
The name was exported around the world both as a place-name and as a surname, especially to those countries where the English language is an official language. Examples of place-names include:

Etymology

The English toponymist P. H. Reaney has suggested that the name element Hampton may derive from:
  1. Old English hām + tūn – "village with a home farm".
  2. Old English hamm + tūn – "village with a flood-meadow or pasture".
The English toponymist Victor Watts has suggested the following possibilities:
  1. Old English hēah + tūn – "high settlement"
  2. Old English hamm + tūn:
  3. # "settlement or estate in a river bend".
  4. # "settlement or estate between rivers".
  5. Old English hām + tūn – "home farm".

Examples (home farm)

Examples of Old English hām and tūn – "village with a home farm":
Place nameLocationOS GridHistoric landownerHome farmListedRiver name
Hampton GayOxfordshireRobert de GayManor FarmGrade IIRiver Cherwell
Hampton PoyleOxfordshireWalter de la PoyleManor FarmRiver Cherwell
Hampton LovettWorcestershireLovet familyHampton FarmGrade IIElmbridge Brook

Examples (meadow)

Examples of Old English hamm and tūn – "village with a flood-meadow or pasture":
Place nameLocationOS GridDerivation
HamptonRichmond upon ThamesRiver Thames
Hampton LucyWarwickshireRiver Avon

Examples (high settlement)

Examples of Old English hēah and tūn – "high settlement":
Place nameLocationOS GridDerivationRiver name
HamptonEvesham, WorcestershireHigh groundRiver Isbourne – River Avon
Hampton in ArdenSolihull, West MidlandsHigh groundRiver Blythe

Examples in England

Hampton

Hampton (prefix)

Examples of Hampton followed by a name, usually of a landowner:

Hampton (suffix)