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.

Horsleydown

Early-attested site in the Parish of Southwark

Historical Forms

  • Horseidune 12th ADiii
  • Horseiesdoune, Horsiesmede 1205 FF
  • Horseyedoune 1255 Ass c.1300 ADv
  • Horsadown 1443–72 ECP
  • Horslydown t.Eliz ChancP
  • Horsey Downe 1604 SrWills
  • Horsey Downe, Horsly Downe 1668 SACxiii

Etymology

'Hill by the horse eg or marsh,' v. dun , eg . The later intrusive l may have appeared through the influence of Horsley infra 139, 141. The name is preserved in Horsleydown Lane and Stairs.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement