Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wodehede 1424 Chol

• Woodhede, Woodhede in Londondale 1548 Earw 1550 MinAcct

• (the) Woodhead 1488 Earw 18 Orm2 c.1620,1656

• Woodhead Chappel 1659,1689 Earw

Etymology

Woodhead, Woodhead Chapel (102–0899), Wodehede 1424Chol , Woodhede , Woodhede in Londondale 1548 Earw, 1550MinAcct , (the ) Woodhead 1488 (18) Earw, c.1620, 1656 Orm2, Woodhead Chappel 1659, 1689 Earw, 'the top of the wood', v. wudu , hēafod , cf. Longdene (dale ) heved , Langedeneheved 1285ChFor , 'the head of Longdendale', v. 2supra . The chapel is mentioned in the will (1488) of its founder, Sir Robert Shaa (i.e. Shaw), as 'a Chappell that I have made in Longden Dale' (Earw I 416).