Elkington, Northamptonshire facts for kids
Elkington is a very small settlement, known as a hamlet, located in West Northamptonshire, England. It is also part of a civil parish, which is a local area with its own small government.
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What Does Elkington Mean?
The name Elkington has an interesting history! It likely means "Elta's hill," named after someone called Elta. Another idea, though less likely, is that it means "swan hill." Names of places often tell us something about their past or the people who lived there long ago.
A Village That Disappeared
Elkington was once a much bigger place. Imagine a bustling village that slowly faded away!
Elkington in the Past
In the year 1377, records show Elkington was called Elkynton (and other similar names). At that time, about 30 people over the age of 14 paid taxes there. This tells us it was a small but active community.
However, things changed dramatically. By 1412, the village was almost empty. Most people had left or died. This was due to a terrible sickness called a pestilence, which historians believe was the plague. The plague was a very serious illness that spread across Europe, causing many deaths. Only seven people were left in Elkington, and they worked at a nearby place called Pipewell Abbey.
What's Left Today?
Today, you won't find many houses in Elkington. There's only one farm left! It's amazing to think that a whole village used to be there.
If you look from an airplane, you can still see faint outlines of the old village streets in the fields below. It's like a ghost town, with its past written on the land. The site of the old village is near bridge 28 on the Leicester part of the Grand Union Canal. This canal is a waterway built for boats, and it helps us pinpoint where the village once stood.
The Elkington Surname
Many families with the last name Elkington believe their ancestors came from this very village. People with this surname, especially those from areas like Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire, often trace their family history back to this small Northamptonshire hamlet. It's a cool way that a small place can have a big impact on many people's family trees!
