Blackford | |
---|---|
St. John the Baptist's church, Blackford |
|
Blackford shown within Cumbria | |
OS grid reference | NY396621 |
Civil parish | |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | CARLISLE |
Postcode district | CA6 |
Dialling code | 01228 |
Police | Cumbria |
Fire | Cumbria |
Ambulance | North West |
EU Parliament | North West England |
UK Parliament | |
Blackford is a village in Cumbria close to Gretna.
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.