 This site was occupied by the Romans from the 1st century to the 4th century AD and many Roman artefacts have been found.Opinions differ as to the origin of the name "Natland".The English Place Names Society gives the derivation of Natland as the Old Norse "Natlundr", meaning 'Nati's wood', "Nati" being either a mythological name or a proper name and "lundr" meaning 'a small wood, a sacred grove'.