Eaton

Eaton, a common place-name with two different origins. Most are ‘farmstead or estate on a river’ (probably denoting a settlement which performed a special local function in relation to the river), from OE ēa + tūn, among them: Eaton Ches., near Congleton. Yeiton c.1262. Eaton Norfolk. Ettune 1086 (DB). Eaton Notts. Etune 1086 (DB). Eaton Oxon. Eatun 9th cent., Eltune [sic] 1086 (DB). Eaton Shrops., near Bishop's Castle. Eton 1252. Eaton Shrops., near Ticklerton. Eton 1227. Eaton Bishop Herefs. Etune 1086 (DB), Eton Episcopi 1316. Affix from its possession by the Bishop (Latin episcopus) of Hereford. Eaton, Castle Swindn. Ettone 1086 (DB). The affix is found from the 15th cent. Eaton Constantine Shrops. Etune 1086 (DB), Eton Costentyn 1285. Manorial affix from the de Costentin family, here in the 13th cent. Eaton Hastings Oxon. Etone 1086 (DB), Eton Hastinges 1298. Manorial affix from the de Hastinges family, here in the 12th cent. Eaton Socon Cambs. Etone 1086 (DB). Affix from OE sōcn ‘district with a right of jurisdiction’. Eaton upon Tern Shrops. Eton c.1223. On the River Tern, a Celtic river-name meaning ‘the strong one’.

However other Eatons have a different origin, ‘farmstead on a spur of land, or on dry ground in marsh, or on well-watered land’, from OE ēg + tūn, among them: Eaton Ches., near Tarporley. Eyton 1240. Eaton Leics. Aitona c.1130. Eaton Bray Beds. Eitone 1086 (DB). Manorial affix from the Bray family, here in the 15th cent. Eaton, Little Derbys. Detton [sic] 1086 (DB), Little Eton 1392. Eaton, Long Derbys. Aitune 1086 (DB), Long Eyton 1288. Affix refers to length of village.