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In:From Carving Runestones to Digitizing Skaldic Poetry: Studies in Germanic philology and historical linguistics
Edited by David Bolter, Erin Noelliste, Christopher D. Sapp and Lane Sorensen
[Studies in Germanic Linguistics 11] 2026
► pp. 239–258

Chapter 14
Scandinavian lexis in the place-names of northernmost England

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Abstract
This paper investigates the etymologies of “candidate” medieval place-names of the historic county of Northumberland which potentially contain Scandinavian lexis. It considers how Scandinavian- derived lexical items, whether in general use or specifically toponymic use, might have entered Northumberland place-names. Tentative distinctions are made between the direct influence of Scandinavian speakers in the Viking Age and indirect influence, where lexis is adopted into late Old English or Middle English from more heavily Scandinavianised areas. For the indirect influence, some possible routeways and contributory factors are suggested. The lateness of the spelling evidence (from twelfth century onwards) and restricted nature of the Scandinavian-derived names make many conclusions tentative, but the varied Scandinavian lexis that emerges is of interest both linguistically and historically.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Northumberland, its history and place-names
  • 3.Terminology
  • 4.Methodology, sources and previous scholarship
  • 5.Candidate place-names with medieval spellings
    • 5.1Complete names
    • 5.2Etymological hybrids
    • 5.3Etymological hybrids with Old Scandinavian personal names
    • 5.4Later toponymic evidence
  • 6.Non-toponymic evidence
  • 7.Towards some conclusions
  • Author queries
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
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