Merritown

Merritown, Hurn
settlement
parish:
county:
coords:
Hurn
Dorset
SZ1197
refce: HANTSLOC.t
old map: 25inch County Series map -- Hants LXXVIII.14
Merritown
refce: Coates 1989
MERRITOWN, farm in Hurn
A name found in 1682 ('Merrytown') replacing earlier about 1300 'Fonketone' 1682 'Funk Towne' apparently regional Middle English 'pong farm or town', for euphemistic reasons. The new name may be self explanatory, or may contain the familiar dialect word for the wild cherry. There are 'Merry Fields' in Durley and Froxfield, and a 'Merry Orchard' in Winchfield (Field 1972).
   Old Hampshire Gazetteer - JandMN: 2001