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.