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.

Harwood Dale

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hackness

Historical Forms

  • Harewode 1301 LS 1385 Baildon
  • Harwod 1301 LS 1395 Whitby
  • Harwoddale 1577 Saxton

Etymology

v. Hard Dale 112supra . The first element is doubtful. It may be OE  hara 'hare,' hence 'hare wood.' It is possible however that we may have OE  har 'rock,' (v. Harome 70supra ), which would certainly conform with the topography of Harwood Dale. Finally it might be OE  (æt þǣm ) hāra (n ) wuda '(at the) grey wood.' Equally ambiguous is Harewood (YWR), ONb  æt Harawuda , where Færeman Glossed the gospel of St John.