A small hamlet which consists of a collection of farm buildings and cottages, the majority of which are depicted on the 1st edition OS map of 1855. Some of the buildings are timber framed and many date to at least the 17th century. The name 'Morthen' derives from a Scandinavian unit of administration that was obsolete by the time of the Norman Conquest. It translates as 'the moorland district with the common assembly'. The Yorkshire assembly was divided into three regions (trithings or ridings) which were in turn divided into district assemblies such as the one held near Morthen. This district is recalled in place names ending in 'en-le Morthen'. Legibility of the former historic character is fragmentary due to the surviving network of old lanes and timber framed buildings.