Cliveden
Early-attested site in the Parish of Taplow
Historical Forms
- Chueden' 1195 Cur(P)
- Cliveden 1200 Cur 1211 Abbr
- Clifden 1766 J
- Cliefden 1826 B
Etymology
Cliveden stands high above the Thames on top of a steep rise and the first element must be OE clif or cleof used descriptively of its position. It is commonly compounded with dun as in Cleadon (Du) and Clevedon (So) but forms in don for Cliveden are rare and late. The second element is clearly denu and the reference must be to the valley to the south of the house. 'Steeply sloping valley.'