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_Etymology of Totnes_.--Can any of your readers suggest a probable
etymology for Totnes, the "prime town of Great Britain," as it is
called by Westcote[1], who supposes it to have been built by Brutus,
1108 years before the Christian era. Mr. Polwhele, who supposed the
numerous _Hams_ in Devon to have owed their names to the worship
of Jupiter _Hammon_, would, I imagine, have derived Totnes from the
Egyptian god Thoth or Taut; or, perhaps, directly from King Thothmes.
Westcote observes that some would have the name from,--
"The French word _tout-à-l'aise_, which is in English, all at
ease; as if Brutus at his arrival in such a pleasant soil ...
should here assure himself and his fellow-travellers of
ease, rest, and content; and the _l_, in this long time, is
changed into _n_, and so from _tout-à-lesse_ we now call it
_tout-à-nesse_, and briefly Totnessse. This would _I willingly
applaud, could I think or believe that Brutus spake so good
French_, or that the French tongue was then spoken at all.
Therefore, I shall with the more ease join in opinion with
those who would have it named _Dodonesse_, which signifieth
[in what language?] the rocky-town, or town on stones, which
is also agreeable with the opinion of Leland."
Totnes is denominated Totenais and Totheneis in _Domesday Book_; and
in other old records variously spelt, Toteneis, Totteneys, Toteneys,
Totton', Totteñ, Totenesse, Tottenesse, Tottonasse, Totonie, &c.
Never, Donodesse.