The derivation of the first part of the town's name, Leighton is
most probably from the the Old English word leactun meaning 'Kitchen-garden',
however, it may derive from Saxon, meaning
that the town was located at an open place in a woodland.
Similarly there are several theories for the derivation of the suffix Buzzard.
The most plausible theory is that it derives from the name of Theobald
de Busar, who was a Canon of Lincoln and prebendary of Leighton Buzzard
at the turn
of the 13th century. Under Theobald's control were two places called Leighton,
and it has been suggested that
his name was appended to the towns name to distinguish it from the other
Leighton.
Another suggested source of Buzzard is from the family of Bossard, who held
the Manors of Knotting, Bedfordshire and Thorpe Bossard, Nottinghamshire,
however, against this theory, is that the family did not own any land Leighton
Buzzard.
In records the name Leighton appears variously as follows:
11th Century: Lestone
12th Century: Leocton, Lectune, Lecton, Letone, Lechtone
13th Century: Letone, Lechtone, Leiton, Leyton, leghton, Lachton
In records the name Buzzard appears variously as follows:
13th Century: Bussard, Busard
14th Century: Bussard, Busard, Bousard, Bosard
15th Century: Busard, Bosard
17th Century: Bussard, Beaudesert, Beudesert, Buzard,
Beuzard