Great and Little Harrowden
Major Settlement in the Parish of Harrowden, Great and Little
Historical Forms
- Hargindone et alia Hargindone, Hargintone, Hargedone 1086 DB
- Harhgeduna 1155–8 Ch 1329
- Harudon 12th Survey 1280 Ipm
- Harudon Magna 1284 FA
- Har(e)wedon 1203 Cur 1350 Ipm
- Har(e)wedon Parva 1220 Fees
- Har(e)wedon Maiore ib.
- Har(e)wedon Major, Har(e)wedon Minor 1227 BM
- Harwedenn 1203 Cur
- Hareudon, Haroudon 1235 Fees 1379 Cl
- Harowedon 1381 Cl 1386 Ch
- Harodown 1526 SR
- Herowdon 1462 Pat
- Haridon 1675 Ogilby
Etymology
This place, like Harrowden (PN BedsHu 91), must have been a hill marked by some place for heathen worship (v. hearg , dun ).We have reference in the Cartulary of St Andrew's, Northampton (320 d), to 'the furlong callyd Harow ,' which was in the neighbourhood. It is tempting to think that this may preserve record of the site of the temple or grove itself, but it may be that the furlong was simply named from the common harrow.