A Hucknall History

Huthwaite Name Origins

Hucknall Huthwaite Urban District Council reclaimed original settlement description officially renaming Huthwaite in 1907. Whether or not that decision was based on any proven local research at the time isn't really known. Dropping long held Hucknall association did mark progressive start of village developments extending an independent parish township. Simpler aim might just have been ending past confusions between two nearby localities anciently sharing Hucknall address. But the former Hucknall-under-Huthwaite could not stop derogatory taunts from modern interpretation of an historically known area alternatively once called Dirty Hucknall.

Lacking separate named entry in the infamous 1086 Domesday Book could only initially suggest a far later established settlement. Even after Sutton town researchers eventually discovered Huthwaite named origins behind this secondary settlement, the addition plus variant alternative Hucknall references could only be confusingly theorised when presenting this modern mining community an easily understood historic basis. They evidently proudly supported far earlier coal production.

Gaining access to a Cambridge University Press 1907 publication written by Mr Robert Mellors entitled The Place-names of Nottinghamshire Their Origin and Development, can expose understanding behind their unwavering beliefs referencing specialist subject works by higher academic etymology scholars. To insist the general meaning behind Sutton locally related South Town of Mansfield was too unbelievable.

Higher qualified 1913 publication by Heinrich Mutschman M.A. (Liverpool) Ph.D (Bonn) has no relevant changes. But personalised humble preface cannot dismiss collaborated input through this lecturer in German and in Phonetics at the University College, Nottingham, repeating combined subject entries.

These were excellent interpretations when introducing such a complicated science. Nevertheless, the author himself admitted "The field of place-name research is a distinctly dangerous one, ..." Plus most certainly appreciated in my own quest he expressed "If now given to the world it is because I have been persuaded that its perusal may afford pleasure and instruction to some, and that the theories often very bold propounded in the book may draw valuable comments from its critics."

Refined explanation for Hucknall identifying a person claiming a corner of land has become entirely accepted if singularly applied to nearby localities actually named Hucknall in Doomsday times. It did lead Ashfield historians into best supposing Hucca relations settled at Huthwaite. Further pioneering research couldn't prove that unlikely theory, leaving confusion how to associate Hucknall with Huthwaite. Applauding discovery of rarely seen documentation of invaluable reference, and appreciating reasoning for primary explanations, a broader minded interpretation of all available knowledge had logically pictured a clearer understanding. Exploring broader influence behind Hucknall origins deserves separate coverage, with hope to finally clarify other related conflicting issues.

Descriptive Huthwaite Meaning

Earliest dated spellings offer best chance of deducing translations. Acknowledging a singularly named settlement well established by the 13th century was revealed upon finding Hodweit from 1199, preceding documentation showing evolving spelling examples through 1208 Hothweit into Hothweyt and Howthwaite. Like almost all Old English place names, this compounds two meanings.

Common pronunciation today emphasises syllables HUTH + WAITE, whereas etymology separates HU + THWAITE as was indeed earlier identified with precision regarding the second element being Scandinavian of general Norse or Viking origin. Tracing just a subtle change in the first element makes a major difference. Instead of HA suggesting a person, HO offers alternative topographical features. And that commonly originates from far earlier Anglo-Saxon Old English description for a hill spur. Refined understandings can therefore assure Huthwaite very recognisably described a settlement in a forest clearing upon a high hill spur

Prefix pronounced hu is derived from ho, hod or hoh.
Of Anglo-Saxon origin describing topography featuring a
high hill or ridge, steep bank or spur of land.

Suffix pronounced thwaite is derived from þweit or thveit
Commonly known by Viking origins generally describing a
meadow, glade or clearing particularly among a forest.

This dominating natural feature initially describing Huthwaite, is a steeply sloped hill spur, thereafter named Strawberry Bank. Its summit had recorded highest county point over Nottinghamshire when name still generally referenced all meadow lands above. No attempt was made housing north face called Herrod's Hill.

Combining these two very common descriptive elements does share meaning naming other British places, especially in northern counties. It just so happens that differing local pronunciations evolved to eventually differentiate this one Huthwaite locality with its still unique area spelling. Some places would have extended similar variant spellings behind use of a Huthwaite surname based on place of residence. In turn, widely relocated families end up recognising a few Huthwaite estates, buildings or streets elsewhere.

But having determined both Hucknall and this slightly later Huthwaite were two separate settlements, explaining later ties will have to give consideration to a combination of other influential factors. That begins by next asserting earliest known type of district.