Blackford, Cumbria

Blackford is a village in Cumbria close to Gretna.

Etymology

Blackford means what it says, a black ford or river-crossing. However, unlike other places of the name, it is a mix of Old English and Old Norse: the first element is Old English blǣc "black", while the second element is Old Norse vathr / vaőr, ford, river crossing, which usually occurs as -wath in place-names with this element (e.g. Wath upon Dearne). The name was recorded as Blakiwaith in 1165.

Coordinates: 54°57′00″N 2°56′31″W / 54.950°N 2.942°W / 54.950; -2.942

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