English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Ruardean

Major Settlement in the Parish of Ruardean

Historical Forms

  • Rwirdin 1086 DB
  • Rowardyn 12 Glouc 1278 Heref 1278 Ass 1509–47 Surv
  • Rouardyn 1322 Pat
  • Rowerdean 1620 Rec
  • Rowworthyn 13 Glouc
  • Rowurthin 1220 Fees
  • Rouwardyn 1322 Cl
  • Reworthin, Rewrdin' 1200 Cur
  • Reuarthyne 1297 Ipm
  • Rewardyn(e) 1307 FF 1397 Ass 1487 Ipm
  • Rewarden 1461 ECP 1538 FF
  • Ruorthin, Ruerthin 1200 Cur
  • Ruwardin, Ruwardyn 1248 Ass 1255 Ipm 1270 For 1361 Ass
  • Ruwarthyn c.1270 For
  • Ruwarden 1469 FF
  • Ruwardeane 1642 Comm
  • Ruardin, Ruardyn 1255 Ipm c.1270,1279 For 1287 Ass 1289 Cl 1291 Tax 1437 MinAcct
  • Ruerdin 1279 For
  • Ruerden 1563 FF
  • Ruerdeane 1595 1662 Comm
  • Ruardeane 1641,1692 ib
  • Rywardin 1282 For

Etymology

The first el. is, as Ekwall suggested, OE  ryge 'rye' or Welsh  rhiw 'hill', probably borrowed as an appellative rather than an old p.n.The second el. is Merc  worðign 'enclosure'. Cf. Phonol. § 25.