Santon Township, 1848

SANTON, a township, in the parish of Irton, union of Bootle, Allerdale ward above Derwent, W. division of Cumberland, 4½ miles (N.N.E.) from Ravenglass; containing 173 inhabitants. This place is supposed to derive its name from the drifting sands which abounded in the vicinity and laid waste most of the adjoining district. A Roman pottery was discovered in these sands, with numerous fragments of urns, and at the bottom of one of the furnaces a large cross of brass, on which probably the urns were placed for baking or drying them. Several Roman coins have been found; and opposite to the village are the remains of a Roman road, on the east of which are the foundations of an Augustine priory said to have been established by King Stephen.

Extract from: A Topographical Dictionary of England comprising the several counties, cities, boroughs, corporate and market towns, parishes, and townships..... 7th Edition, by Samuel Lewis, London, 1848.